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.
Dancehall Queen
Beenie Man Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It's a dancehall thing (yeah, eh ha)
Gyal me serious, me haffi get you tonight (hey, hey, hey, ow)
Gyal me serious, me haffi get you tonight (hey, hey, hey, ow)
Gyal me serious, me haffi get you tonight (hey, hey, hey, ow)
Gyal me serious, me haffi (hey, hey, hey, ow)
She's a dancehall queen for life
Gonna explode like dynamite
And she's moving outta sight
And she guh mash up di place like dynamite
She's a dancehall queen for life
Gonna explode like dynamite
And she's moving outta sight
And she guh mash up di place like dynamite
(Hey, hey, hey, ow)
Gyal how yuh so full a etiquette and yuh so clever
Through a Selassie mek a you design fi be the dancer
If a fi mi alone a woulda tun yuh inna mi lover
Gyal mi waan mi name, mi waan fi knock yuh wid mi hammer
Den mek mi get back pon track yah
Marcia, first time mi see yuh mi woulda walk inna macka
Now mi see yuh wine mi waan fi bun up inna fire
Tan up inna clothes like a tinking Fila
Fi da Gyal yah a wine she look like mumma killa
One touch mi touch mi it bun mi like pepper
But hear di DJ a utter, mi halla
Chevelle now or forever yuh halla
She's a dancehall queen for life
Gonna explode like dynamite
And she's moving outta sight
And she guh mash up di place like dynamite
She's a dancehall queen for life
Gonna explode like dynamite
And she's moving outta sight
And she guh mash up di place like dynamite (hey, hey, hey, ow)
Contest a gwaan fi di dancehall queen
Who a wear di crown, ah di one Olivine
Hell and powderhouse when miss lady come in
Den everybody start scream, seen
Where di girl come from nobody don't know
She's a devil angel and she's a go-go
Hit this girl, you man ah, she's a yo-yo
Ask mi I don't know, all mi know
When mi hitch up dung a African Star
Mi see bus, mi see truck, mi see bike, mi see car
Night time come and video light, it tun on
Her body start to alarm, gyal because
Watch mi now
She can cork any session
Wid a cute face a create nuff heat inna di place
An try nuh touch a button
If yuh touch a button she a guh try an duh yuh suppen
An go girl, faah mi naah stop say so
Go girl, to the rhythm whey a throw
Go girl, to the bass whey a blow
Go girl (Chevelle, DJ, again)
She can cork any session
Wid a cute face a create nuff heat inna di place
An try nuh touch a button
If yuh touch a button she a guh try an duh yuh suppen
Go girl, faah mi naah stop say so
Go girl, to the rhythm whey a throw
Go girl, to the bass whey a blow
Go girl (Chevelle, DJ, again)
She can cork any session
Wid a cute face a create nuff heat inna di place
An try nuh touch a button
If yuh touch a button she a guh try an duh yuh suppen
Ya just go girl
Gyal me serious, me haffi get you tonight
Go girl, gyal me serious, me haffi get you tonight
Go girl, gyal me serious, me haffi get you tonight
Go girl, to the bass whey a blow (gyal me serious, me haffi get get)
The lyrics to Beenie Man's "Dancehall Queen" celebrate the beauty and skill of a talented female dancer, referred to as the dancehall queen. The song is addressed to her, with the singer expressing his serious attraction and desire to be with her. He is impressed by her etiquette, cleverness, and dance moves, which he compares to the explosiveness of dynamite. As the queen of the dancehall, she captures the attention of the crowd and moves "outta sight," dominating the dance floor.
The song also references a dancehall queen contest, where the best female dancers compete to wear the crown. According to the lyrics, the current winner is Olivine, but the mysterious newcomer, who nobody knows where she's from, could steal the crown with her impressive skills. The song portrays the dancehall queen as a powerful, sensual, and irresistible force, who can "cork any session" and create heat in the place. The lyrics have a playful and flirtatious tone, praising the queen's beauty and dance moves while also expressing the singer's intentions to be with her.
Line by Line Meaning
Ooh-ooh, yeah, yeah
Expressing excitement and agreement with what is to come
It's a dancehall thing (yeah, eh ha)
Acknowledging that the song is part of a cultural phenomenon in Jamaica and beyond
Gyal me serious, me haffi get you tonight (hey, hey, hey, ow)
Expressing a strong desire to be with a particular woman that night
(Chevelle Franklin, sing)
Introducing the guest artist who will sing the chorus
She's a dancehall queen for life
Celebrating a woman who embodies the spirit and style of dancehall music and culture
Gonna explode like dynamite
Suggesting that her energy and impact will be explosive
And she's moving outta sight
Acknowledging that her moves and style are impressive and captivating
And she guh mash up di place like dynamite
Suggesting that she will dominate and energize the dance floor
Gyal how yuh so full a etiquette and yuh so clever
Wondering how she manages to be graceful and creative at the same time
Through a Selassie mek a you design fi be the dancer
Suggesting that her talent and style are divinely inspired
If a fi mi alone a woulda tun yuh inna mi lover
Admitting that he is attracted to her and would love to be with her
Gyal mi waan mi name, mi waan fi knock yuh wid mi hammer
Showing off his bravado and indicating interest in a sexual encounter
Den mek mi get back pon track yah
Returning to the main theme of dancehall music and celebrating the dancing queen
Marcia, first time mi see yuh mi woulda walk inna macka
Mentioning another woman he admires, but redirecting attention back to the dancehall queen
Now mi see yuh wine mi waan fi bun up inna fire
Admiring her dance moves and imagining getting closer to her
Tan up inna clothes like a tinking Fila
Describing her style and appearance in a playful way
Fi da Gyal yah a wine she look like mumma killa
Complimenting her dance moves and sexual energy
One touch mi touch mi it bun mi like pepper
Suggesting that her touch would have a strong effect on him
But hear di DJ a utter, mi halla
Referring to the DJ who keeps the music going and supporting the dancehall culture
Contest a gwaan fi di dancehall queen
Referring to a competition to find the best female dancer
Who a wear di crown, ah di one Olivine
Mentioning a popular dancer who may be a serious contender
Hell and powderhouse when miss lady come in
Describing the excitement and energy that a good dancer can bring to the party
Den everybody start scream, seen
Acknowledging the audience's enthusiasm for the dancehall queen
Where di girl come from nobody don't know
Wondering about the dancehall queen's origins and backstory
She's a devil angel and she's a go-go
Describing her as having a mix of seductive and energetic qualities
Hit this girl, you man ah, she's a yo-yo
Suggesting that she can control men like a toy yo-yo
Ask mi I don't know, all mi know
Admitting that he doesn't have all the answers, but he knows she's a great dancer
When mi hitch up dung a African Star
Remembering a past event where he experienced great music and dancing
Mi see bus, mi see truck, mi see bike, mi see car
Describing the variety of vehicles that were present at that event
Night time come and video light, it tun on
Describing a common scene at a dancehall party with flashing lights and videos
Her body start to alarm, gyal because
Referring to the dancehall queen and the way she moves that excites him and others around her
She can cork any session
Affirming that the dancehall queen has the skills to control any dance party
Wid a cute face a create nuff heat inna di place
Noting her attractive appearance and the way she raises the temperature of the space
An try nuh touch a button
Warning others not to mess with her or they will face consequences
If yuh touch a button she a guh try an duh yuh suppen
Explaining what might happen if someone tries to mess with her
Go girl, faah mi naah stop say so
Encouraging her to keep dancing and showing off her skills
Go girl, to the rhythm whey a throw
Encouraging her to dance in sync with the music
Go girl, to the bass whey a blow
Encouraging her to move to the beat of the bass
She can cork any session
Repeating the message that the dancehall queen is in charge of the party
To the bass whey a blow (gyal me serious, me haffi get get)
Ending the song with the main theme that he is serious about wanting to be with her tonight no matter what the bass sounds like.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Royalty Network, Downtown Music Publishing, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Moses Anthony Davis, Donald Dennis, Chevelle Jasintha Franklyn, Anthony St. Aubyn Kelly, Stephen John Marsden, Anthony Kelly, Chevelle Franklyn, Moses Davis, Steven Marsden
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind