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.
Bookshelf
Beenie Man Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Them no gritty me hafi put them pon me bookshelf
Yes, a no one a di whole committee inna the city them ya kitty
Mi naah go share them with nobody else, yes
So any time mia bore them, a sametime me adore them
When mi rip off them negligee
And from once mi can afford them, then me ago sport them
A so them nice mi caan ignore them, so affi tour them
Take them all over to L.A.
Then mi ago score them, anytime mi lure them
Fi a drive along the freeway
Mi very picky when mi choose them, who no good me loose them
When mi a run mi survey
And before mi go bruise them, tek them out and cruise them
Inna mi yacht along the bay
'Cause me know me enthused them, and me amuse them
With mi lyrical display
Same time me naah confuse them, the Doctor naah abuse them
A pure loving without delay
Yes mi love how dem dweet, senoritas look petite
When me a mek a drive through
The way how them complete and them look so sweet
Me haffi live pon dem avenue
Nuff gal a kiss dem teeth 'cause them caan compete
When them a walk inna crew
So the way how me see it, mek them move to me beat
And then them wi stick like glue
In Beenie Man's "Bookshelf," the lyrics describe the singer's appreciation for women and the way they look. He admires their beauty and wit, and claims that he will not share them with anyone else. When he acquires these women, he cherishes and takes care of them, and he shows them off to others. He travels with them, taking them all over the world, and charms them with his music. He emphasizes that he does not mistreat these women, and instead gives them love and attention. Finally, the song expresses the way in which other women are envious of those that he is with, and he concludes that he is “stuck” with them.
On one level, the lyrics of the song can be interpreted as a celebration of women and their beauty. However, critics have pointed out that the way in which Beenie Man describes his acquisition and treatment of these women is problematic. The lyrics suggest an objectification of women, as the women are portrayed as objects to be collected, displayed, and owned by the singer. The lyrics seem to glorify the idea of men owning women, and they do not depict any agency of the women themselves.
Line by Line Meaning
The way them gal ya look so pretty, full a witty
The women are gorgeous, intelligent, and sharp-witted.
Them no gritty me hafi put them pon me bookshelf
I don't want anyone else to have them, so I'm keeping them for myself.
Yes, a no one a di whole committee inna the city them ya kitty
These women are unique and special, not like anyone else in the city.
Mi naah go share them with nobody else, yes
I won't share these women with anyone else.
So any time mia bore them, a sametime me adore them
I love and appreciate these women even when they are not entertaining me.
When mi rip off them negligee
When I take off their lingerie.
And from once mi can afford them, then me ago sport them
I will show these women off once I can afford to do so.
Put them all pon display
Display them for all to see.
A so them nice mi caan ignore them, so affi tour them
I can't ignore how nice they are, so I must show them off and take them on tours.
Take them all over to L.A.
Bring them to Los Angeles to show off.
Then mi ago score them, anytime mi lure them
I will have sex with them whenever I am able to lure them in.
Fi a drive along the freeway
Drive with them along the freeway.
Mi very picky when mi choose them, who no good me loose them
I am very choosy when deciding on which women to keep, I don't let go of the good ones.
When mi a run mi survey
When I am searching and selecting women.
And before mi go bruise them, tek them out and cruise them
Before I hurt them, I take them out on a ride in my yacht.
Inna mi yacht along the bay
Take them on a yacht ride in the bay.
'Cause me know me enthused them, and me amuse them
I know I have won their attention and entertain them with my lyrical display.
With mi lyrical display
Using my musical talent to win their affection.
Same time me naah confuse them, the Doctor naah abuse them
I don't play with their emotions, I don't use them for my own benefits.
A pure loving without delay
I am genuinely infatuated with them and give them love without hesitation.
Yes mi love how dem dweet, senoritas look petite
I love how they behave, especially when they are small Latino women.
When me a mek a drive through
When I am driving through the city.
The way how them complete and them look so sweet
They complete me and look lovely, beautiful, and cute.
Me haffi live pon dem avenue
I want to live in their world and be around them all the time.
Nuff gal a kiss dem teeth 'cause them caan compete
Other girls are jealous cause they can't compete with my women.
When them a walk inna crew
When they are walking amongst other people.
So the way how me see it, mek them move to me beat
I control them and their actions with my words and actions.
And then them wi stick like glue
They will be loyal and never leave me.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: ANTYONY KELLY, MOSES DAVIS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Kervan .s
I must say..hands off..he killed this riddim!!
North Side
Kervan .s ehhhhh... Lady Saw kiled it..
J M
what's the name of the riddim? I know this one and Sean Paul's: deport them, are there any others?
AK MR
@J M bookshelf
deffo not meeeee
@J M say wooden , jack it up
Name Pending
His flow on this song is top notch.
J M
my childhood and teenager times are here on these songs, respect to Beenie M from Panamá ✨
Anthony Chetram
Back when every song on a riddim was a hit!!!
goodmanfilife
Mi have 21 chune pon it.
Mmatthew Davey
Back when damn near every riddim was a hit