He was booed off stage at a show celebrating the visit of Nelson Mandela. In 1993 at the very popular show Sting he accused fellow deejay Bounty Killer that the elder artist had stolen his catchphrase, "people dead". This triggered a lyrical battle which continued on the air with each artist counteracting the other's songs. Finally, in 1995, Beenie Man and Bounty Killer settled their differences on the air by actually signing a peace treaty and the two recorded an album together, Guns Out. This was followed by a single, "No Mama No Cry", a rehash of the Bob Marley classic "No Woman No Cry", speaking out against violence and inspired by the murder of Pan Head, another popular Deejay.
Partially as a result of prodding from his producers, Sly and Robbie, Beenie Man soon converted to the Rastafari movement.
In 1994, he was signed by Island Records and released the critically acclaimed album Blessed.
In 1995, Beenie Man released a remix of Barrington Levy's "Under Mi Sensi" in the United Kingdom, and collaborated with Dennis Brown and Triston Palma to release Three Against War and Lt. Stitchie on Mad Cobra Meets Lt. Stitchie & Beenie Man. He took another step up the ladder in 1996, releasing the seminal Maestro, produced by Patrick Roberts and shot him to UK fame. During the period from the mid to late '90s, Beenie Man dominated the Jamaican charts to the extent that he perhaps had a good claim to the crown of "Dancehall King", a title only bestowed previously on Yellowman in the early 1980s.
In 1998, Beenie Man signed to Virgin Records to release albums in the United States. His first American offering was The Doctor (1998). In 2000, Beenie Man teamed up with Arturo Sandoval and Wyclef Jean (The Fugees) to release The Art & Life. During the late 1990s, Beenie Man began his conquest of America with the hits, "Romie", "Who Am I" and "Girls Dem Sugar", which featured American R&B singer, Mya.
In 2002, he had a sizeable hit with a duet with Janet Jackson called "Feel It Boy", but his biggest break in America came in early 2004 with the release of a remix of "Dude", featuring guest vocals by fellow Jamaican Ms. Thing, as well as rhymes by Shawnna.
Blackboard
Beenie Man Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
This is the original dancehall foundation
oh lawdi, lawd
Beenie man and the hornsman
for all the girls, leroy(hornsman)
A dat yuh really seh man (hornsman), badabadie
Gal a gwine tek mi chalk an mark up yuh blackboard, hornsman
Dem him gwine drive him car pon yuh road
Cause him done already have yuh road code
Ah gwine tek mi chalk an mark up yuh blackboard
Hey little gal weh a flex like hot lava
Long time mi deh yah fi go warm up yuh water
Open yuh garage mek mi drive in mi tanka
Gyal a nuh mi name Caesar, hold on
Dis time mi have to hold di gal dem stronger
Di gal dem want di loving an dem want it longer
Di gal dem want maxwayne cause a him a dem driver
Dem want mr. beenie cause a him a dem lawyer
Di gal nuh want ginger, she only want ninja
Di gal dem want a man weh tough like dober man grinja
An when it come to loving mi di gal dem ask fa
But hornsman come utter
Gal a gwine tek mi chalk an mark up yuh blackboard, hornsman
An him sey inna yuh shield him gwine shub in him long sword
Dem him gwine drive him car pon yuh road
Cause him done already have yuh road code
Ah gwine tek mi chalk an mark up yuh blackboard
Di gal dem want monster shack because
Dem say dem want monster
Dem want scare dem because
Dem say dem want hammer
Dem want beenie man jus through mi long an mi mawga
All now shocking vibes nuh utter, hold on
Gyal dem all a tell mi say dem don't want nuh eater
Di gal nuh want nuh pimp, dem want a good old driver
Di gal dem want a man weh know di curve an di corner
Gal dem nowadays dem can't peel banana
Suzie, angie, di gal name lorna
Ah leroy dem want come utter, fi say,
hornsman, da diestabadadie
Hornsman, cool nuh leroy man, mi tell dem all di while enuh
Dem neva want hear, oh yaw, yawi,
weh yuh say mi fi tell dem, tell dem
Gal a gwine tek mi chalk an mark up yuh blackboard, hornsman
An him sey inna yuh shield him gwine shub in him long sword
Dem him gwine drive him car pon yuh road
Cause him done already have yuh road code
Ah gwine tek mi chalk an mark up yuh blackboard
Di gal dem say dem want fi cease
Dem want a rastaman to mek dem run to di east
Dem nuh want ceasar cause ceasar a beast
General b she want fi trample har feast
East coast crew seh dem nah dweet
Nah go licky licky, an wi nah bite it
Only hornsman an mek di girls dem dance to di beat
hornsman, hornsman fi play, beenie man dee jay
hornsman, ah so wi seh every night an day
Gal a gwine tek mi chalk an mark up yuh blackboard, hornsman
An him sey inna yuh shield him gwine shub in him long sword
Dem him gwine drive him car pon yuh road
Cause him done already have yuh road code
Ah gwine tek mi chalk an mark up yuh blackboard
In "Blackboard," Beenie Man is singing about the different types of men that different girls want, and how he will come and mark up each girl's "blackboard" with his chalk - i.e. give them what they want. The song features Leroy, the hornsman, who adds a distinctive horn riff throughout the track. Beenie Man starts off by saying "This is the original dancehall foundation," making it clear that he is a pioneer of the genre and one of the most influential dancehall artists of all time.
The lyrics go on to describe the various women that they encounter, including some who want a tough guy like a "Doberman grinja," and others who want a "rastaman to mek dem run to di east." Beenie Man assures each woman that he can give them what they want, singing "Gal a gwine tek mi chalk an mark up yuh blackboard."
Overall, the song is an ode to the power of men to give women what they desire, and the hornsman adds a touch of soulful flair to the track, making it an enduring classic in the dancehall genre.
Line by Line Meaning
Well this is Beenie man alongside leroy, the hornsman
Beenie Man is introducing himself and Leroy, the hornsman, on this song.
This is the original dancehall foundation
The song represents the true dancehall music genre.
oh lawdi, lawd
An exclamation of excitement or astonishment.
Beenie man and the hornsman
Reinforcing the presence of both Beenie Man and the hornsman in the song.
for all the girls, leroy(hornsman)
The hornsman is being acknowledged as being present for the enjoyment of all the girls.
A dat yuh really seh man (hornsman), badabadie
An expression of affirmation and agreement to the hornsman's presence and collaboration, with the ad-lib 'badabadie.'
Gal a gwine tek mi chalk an mark up yuh blackboard, hornsman
The girls are going to mark their territory like chalk marks on a blackboard, with the help of the hornsman.
An him sey inna yuh shield him gwine shub in him long sword
The hornsman promises to use his protection of the woman and his physical prowess to pleasure her.
Dem him gwine drive him car pon yuh road
The hornsman refers to his sexual domination over the woman.
Cause him done already have yuh road code
He is familiar with the woman's desires and knows how to please her.
Hey little gal weh a flex like hot lava
Beenie Man addresses a girl who is as hot as lava and beaming with excitement.
Long time mi deh yah fi go warm up yuh water
Beenie Man says he has been around to fulfill the girl's needs for a while now.
Open yuh garage mek mi drive in mi tanka
He requests permission to enter the girl's private parts with the metaphor of driving a tank.
Gyal a nuh mi name Caesar, hold on
Beenie Man tells the girl he is not like other men, such as Caesar.
Dis time mi have to hold di gal dem stronger
He promises to be more present and committed to the girl's pleasure.
Di gal dem want di loving an dem want it longer
The girls desire more love and to have it last longer.
Di gal dem want maxwayne cause a him a dem driver
They want Maxwayne, who is their sexual partner.
Dem want mr. beenie cause a him a dem lawyer
They also want Beenie Man to represent them and provide support.
Di gal nuh want ginger, she only want ninja
Girls want someone rough like a ninja, not a sweet and soft person like ginger.
Di gal dem want a man weh tough like dober man grinja
Girls want someone tough like a Doberman and a warrior, not a weakling.
An when it come to loving mi di gal dem ask fa
When it comes to love, the girls ask Beenie Man for his expertise.
But hornsman come utter
The hornsman interrupts for a chance to bring pleasure to the girl.
Di gal dem say dem want fi cease
Girls say they want a rastaman to make them feel passionate and travel to the eastern side of the world.
Dem want a rastaman to mek dem run to di east
Rastaman represents both love and spirituality in culture.
Dem nuh want ceasar cause ceasar a beast
Girls don't want a man like Caesar who is wild and brutish.
General b she want fi trample har feast
Girls want someone with power like General B to conquer and possess them.
East coast crew seh dem nah dweet
The East Coast crew purposely makes themselves unavailable to certain women.
Nah go licky licky, an wi nah bite it
They avoid situations where they have to give too easily or get hurt.
Only hornsman an mek di girls dem dance to di beat
Hornsman is the only one who can make the girls dance to the music.
hornsman, hornsman fi play, beenie man dee jay
Hornsman is called upon to play, while Beenie Man is there to be the DJ.
hornsman, ah so wi seh every night an day
Hornsman is a regular fixture in their escapades, every night and day.
Writer(s): Aiden Jones, Sly Dunbar, Paul Yebuah, Moses Anthony Davis, Moses Davis Copyright: Dub Plate Music Publishers Ltd., Abood Music Ltd., Shocking Vibes Music Ltd.
Contributed by Julia P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@jordytorrez2881
[Intro]
Well this is Beenie man 'longside Leroy, the hornsman
This is the original dancehall foundation
Wow lawdi, lawdi, lawd!
It's Beenie man and the hornsman
For all the girls, hahaha
Leroy
A that you really say, man?
Dye eye!
Dye-bye-dye-eye!
Bada-dadye!
Zoobie-naba-nye!
No, no, no, girls!
Hornsman say
[Chorus]
Gyal, I goin' take mi chalk and mark up your blackboard
And him say, inna your shield him goin' shoob in him long sword
Then him goin' drive him car pon your road
'Cause him done already have your road code
Gyal, I goin' take mi chalk and mark up your blackboard
Then wha' you say again?
Him say, hey little gyal weh a flex like hot lava
Long time mi deh yah fi go warm up your water
Open your garage, make mi drive in mi tanker
Gyal, a nuh mi name Caesar, hold on
This time mi have to hold di gyal dem stronger
Di gyal dem want di loving and dem want it longer
Di gyal dem want Max Wayne, 'cause a him a dem driver
Dem want Mr. B because a him a dem lawyer
Di gyal nuh want ginger, she only want Ninja
Di gyal dem want a man weh tough like Doberman Grinja
And when it come to loving, a me di gyal dem ask fa
But, hornsman come utter
So wha'?
[Chorus]
Horn plays the chorus
A fi di girls dem we cry
It gone a lead man
Cho!
You know wha' me tell dem say?
Di gal dem want Monster Shack because dem say dem want monster
Dem want Scare Dem because dem say dem want the hammer
Dem want Beenie Man, just true me long and me maga
All now Shocking Vibes nuh utter, hold on!
Gyal dem all a tell me say dem don't want no eater
Di gyal nuh want nuh pimp, dem want a good old driver
Di gyal dem want a man weh know di curve and di corner
Gyal dem nowadays dem can't peel banana
Suzie, Angie, di gyal name Lorna
A Leroy dem waan come utter, fi say
[Chorus]
Horn plays the chorus
Cool nuh Leroy man
Me tell dem all di while enuh
Dem never waan hear, oh yaw, yawi
Wha' you say me fi tell dem?
Tell dem?
[Chorus]
Gyal, I goin' take mi chalk and mark up your blackboard
And inna your shield I goin' shoob in di long sword
I goin' drive mi car pon your road
'Cause mi done already have the road code
Gyal, I goin' take mi chalk and mark up your blackboard
Hold on!
Di gal dem say dem want fi cease
Dem want a rastaman to make dem run to di East
Dem nuh want Ceasar, cause Ceasar a beast
General B she want fi trample her feet
East Coast Crew dem, say dem nah dweet!
Nah go licky licky, and we nah bite it
Only hornsman make di girls dem feel sweet
Blow hornsman and make di girls dem dance to the beat
[Chorus]
Horn plays the chorus
Hornsman fi play, Beenie Man deejay
A so we say, every night and day
[Chorus]
Gyal, I goin' take mi chalk and mark up your blackboard
And inna your shield I goin' shoob in di long sword
I goin' drive mi car pon your road
'Cause mi done already have the road code
Gyal, I goin' take mi chalk and mark up your blackboard
@beenietruth8650
40 years and still strong 💪🏾 long live the king 🤴🔥🔥🔥🔥
@tameerahhodges9927
⁰⁰⁰0⁰
@TorontoChick25
40 years? Don't age me so hard. Lol
@kimlee399
32
@dennaebrown2443
This hit will never die. Salute King Moses
@joelrodriguez8561
Trelocote
@ravital.9327
that trumpet tho...
@vikingrolloishot1789
Ikr 😂🤣😂
@kimlee399
Ah dat mek the song nice no artist never use the Riddim
@miltmoise7917
Taking a break from grading undergraduate papers (TA) to rock this song from my youth. Beenie Man for life!