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.
Girl dem sugar
Beenie Man Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
(Well it got nothing to do with nothing) Anyhow, badman nah bow
Zagga zow, ziggy zow, zagga zow
Anyhow Beenie Man and Mya deh yah now
(Memba that though) Zagga zow, ziggy zow, zagga zow
Neptune mek number one tune yo
(Larger than life) Zagga zow, ziggy zow, zagga (yo)
(Sim simma) Beenie Man ah di girls dem sugar
(Sim simma) Di girls dem world class lover
(Sim simma) Dem girls dem need this nigga
(Sim simma) Well, me love dem shape and figure
(Sim simma) Me ah di man dem weh di girl admire
(Sim Simma) Love di girl and mek dem bawl out fi Jah Jah
(Yo, sim simma) And ah me got di girls dem power
(Sim simma) Yeah, we cool and Mya sing by di hour now
I would take the stars out the sky for you
(Zagga ziggy zow)
There's nothing in this world that I wouldn't do, ooh
If I could be your girl (zagga zow, zagga zow)
If I could be your girl (wul on deh, DJ)
Excuse me baby, but I really just have to tell you this (wah?)
It's been awhile since I'm admiring yuh tenderness (true)
Yuh Coca Cola bottle shape and all yuh cherry lips
And ah you alone mi wan fi hug, love up, and then mi kiss
And I want to show you, I'm a man that's very romantic
But you is a very choosy girl that's why me never hitch
Nuh think, ah true you see me now an' ah you me wan fi strip (zagga zow)
But listen when mi sing this, nuh catch fi keep
(Sim simma) Beenie Man ah di girls dem sugar
(Sim simma) Di girls dem world class lover
(Sim simma) Me love dem shape and figure
(Sim simma) You know dem need this nigga
(Sim simma, baby) Me ah di man dem weh di girl admire
(Sim Simma) Well di girls dem love me by di hour
(Yo, sim simma) Well me come wid di girls dem power
(Sim simma) Sekkle down and hear when Mya holla seh
I would take the stars out the sky for you
Me too babes, me too (zagga ziggy zow)
There's nothing in this world that I wouldn't do, ooh
If I could be your girl (zagga zow, anyhow)
If I could be your girl
Alright listen, yo (hit 'em again, sing again baby)
I would take the stars out the sky for you
(Zeen? Ting)
There's nothing in this world that I wouldn't do
(Zagga, Zagga zow, zow, zow)
If I could be your girl
(Alright cool, alright yeah)
If I could be your girl
Yard man schreechie, yeah
One cup a water and three sour lime
You ah John Mind, mi ah Joe Grind
You gi' her di money and mi kill her wit di wine
When you deh ah work, she deh pon yuh mind
But she deh ah Neptunes gate ah daytime
Woman ah write me and ah call me and ah tell me dat (what?)
Mi bredda Richie Poo just hit di jackpot (eeh?)
But true di fashion and di ways and we style we got
(Sim simma) Beenie Man ah di girls dem sugar
(Sim simma) Di girls dem world class lover
(Sim simma) Dem girls dem need this nigga
(Sim simma) me love dem shape and figure
(Come on, sim simma) Love di girl dem by that hour
(Sim Simma) Mek dem bawl and cry fi dem mother (everybody)
(Sim simma) Well you know me have di girl dem power
(Sim simma) Unnuh cool down and listen Mya have to say
Angel (zagga zow zow) you're my life (yeah)
Angel, I wanna be your wife (yeah yeah yeah yeah)
Angel, it maybe long (zagga zow zow)
Angel (yeah), let's you and I explore
I would take the stars out the sky for you
(I will do the same ting)
There's nothing in this world that I wouldn't do
(Yeah yeah)
If I could be your girl (certain tings me nah do)
(Yeah)
If I could be your girl
Yeah (zagga zow)
I would take the stars out the sky for you (angel, you're my life)
There's nothing in this world that I wouldn't do (angel, I wanna be your wife)
If I could be your girl (angel, it maybe long)
If I could be your girl (angel let's you and I explore)
I would take the stars out the sky for you (Beenie Man, Mya)
There's nothing in this world that I wouldn't do (angel, I wanna be your wife)
I got a number one tune
In "Girls Dem Sugar," Beenie Man and Mýa both play the roles of lovers and share their love and admiration for each other. The chorus of "I would take the stars out the sky for you / There's nothing in this world that I wouldn't do if I could be your girl" expresses the depth of their desire and love for each other. There is also a notion of power and admiration in the song, as Beenie Man is referred to as the girls' sugar with a world-class lover capability. The breakdown of the chorus, "Sim simma," further emphasizes the power dynamic.
Throughout the song, there are various Jamaican colloquialisms, including "yard man schreechie," "sekkle down," and "wul on deh." These colloquialisms help authenticate the song as a dancehall-reggae song. The lyrics, "One cup a water and three sour lime / You ah John Mind, mi ah Joe Grind" is a reference to a Jamaican riddle.
One interesting fact about this song is that it was produced by The Neptunes, Pharrell Williams and Chad Hugo's production duo. This was the second time the duo produced a track for Beenie Man, with the first being "Love Me Now" in 1998. Another interesting fact is that "Girls Dem Sugar" was nominated for a Grammy in 2001 for Best Reggae Album.
Line by Line Meaning
Zagga zow, ziggy zow, zagga zow
Expressing excitement, doesn't mean anything.
(Well it got nothing to do with nothing) Anyhow, badman nah bow
The lyrics don't really matter and even if they did, the artist would never back down.
Anyhow Beenie Man and Mya deh yah now (Memba that though) Zagga zow, ziggy zow, zagga zow
Just acknowledging the presence of the artists and going back to meaningless expressions of excitement.
Neptune mek number one tune yo (Larger than life) Zagga zow, ziggy zow, zagga (yo)
Giving credit to the producer for making a hit song, it's larger than life.
Yeah (hear that song 'ya) Aiggy zagga zeh zow zow (Sim simma)
Asking the listener if they're hearing the song, then transitioning to the repeated phrase 'Sim simma' which is a phrase used to express agreement or ask for agreement.
Beenie Man ah di girls dem sugar (Sim simma)
Beenie Man is the man loved by the girls, hence the 'girls dem sugar'.
Di girls dem world class lover (Sim simma)
The girls love Beenie Man because he is a lover of world class standard.
Dem girls dem need this nigga (Sim simma)
The girls need Beenie Man.
Well, me love dem shape and figure (Sim simma)
Expressing his love for the girls' physical appearance.
Me ah di man dem weh di girl admire (Sim Simma)
Beenie Man is the man the girls admire.
Love di girl and mek dem bawl out fi Jah Jah (Yo, sim simma)
Expressing love for the girls and making them cry out for God (Jah Jah).
And ah me got di girls dem power (Sim simma)
Beenie Man has power over the girls, he can make them do what he wants.
Yeah, we cool and Mya sing by di hour now
Saying that him and Mya are cool and they sing for hours now.
I would take the stars out the sky for you (Zagga ziggy zow)
Expressing extreme measures he would take for the person.
There's nothing in this world that I wouldn't do, ooh (If I could be your girl)
Saying that he would do anything for the person, he wishes he was their girl.
Excuse me baby, but I really just have to tell you this (wah?)
Starting a conversation with someone he's interested in.
It's been awhile since I'm admiring yuh tenderness (true)
Saying that he's been admiring that person for a while now.
Yuh Coca Cola bottle shape and all yuh cherry lips
Complimenting the person's body shape and lips.
And ah you alone mi wan fi hug, love up, and then mi kiss
Saying that it's only the person he wants to hug, love up and kiss.
And I want to show you, I'm a man that's very romantic
Explaining that he's a very romantic guy.
But you is a very choosy girl that's why me never hitch
Saying that the person is very selective, that's why he hasn't been able to pick them up.
Nuh think, ah true you see me now an' ah you me wan fi strip (zagga zow)
Saying don't think that just because the person is looking at him now, he wants to strip them.
But listen when mi sing this, nuh catch fi keep
Saying that he doesn't want them to catch feelings and get too attached.
Me love dem shape and figure
Repeating the phrase again, showing his attraction to the girls' shape and figure.
You know dem need this nigga
Saying that the girls need him.
Me ah di man dem weh di girl admire
Repeating the phrase that he's the man the girls admire, showing his confidence.
Well di girls dem love me by di hour
Saying that the girls love him all the time.
Well me come wid di girls dem power
Showing that he has power over the girls.
Sekkle down and hear when Mya holla seh
Asking the listener to calm down and hear what Mya has to say.
Me too babes, me too (zagga ziggy zow)
Mya is saying she feels the same way.
If I could be your girl (zagga zow, anyhow)
Mya wishes she could be the person's girl.
Alright listen, yo (hit 'em again, sing again baby)
Starting to rap, encouraging the baby to sing again.
There's nothing in this world that I wouldn't do
Repeating the phrase, showing that she's willing to do anything for the person.
Yard man schreechie, yeah
An exclamation, not really meaning anything.
One cup a water and three sour lime
A reference to a traditional Jamaican drink.
You ah John Mind, mi ah Joe Grind
A wordplay, rhyming John Mind with Joe Grind, but not really meaning anything.
You gi' her di money and mi kill her wit di wine
Saying that the person spends money on the girl, while she prefers to be with Beenie Man.
When you deh ah work, she deh pon yuh mind
Saying that when the person is at work, they're still thinking about the girl.
But she deh ah Neptunes gate ah daytime
Saying that the girl is at Neptune's studio during the day.
Woman ah write me and ah call me and ah tell me dat (what?)
Saying that women are reaching out to her, calling and messaging her.
Mi bredda Richie Poo just hit di jackpot (eeh?)
Saying that her friend just got lucky.
But true di fashion and di ways and we style we got
Saying that they're still the best because of their fashion and style.
Love di girl dem by that hour
Repeating the phrase that they love the girls all the time.
Mek dem bawl and cry fi dem mother (everybody)
Saying that they make the girls cry out for their mothers.
Well you know me have di girl dem power
Repeating the phrase that he has power over the girls.
Unnuh cool down and listen Mya have to say
Asking the listener to calm down and listen to what Mya has to say.
Angel (zagga zow zow) you're my life (yeah)
Calling someone Angel and stating that they're his life.
Angel, I wanna be your wife (yeah yeah yeah yeah)
Saying that he wants to be married to Angel.
Angel, it maybe long (zagga zow zow)
Saying that it may take a while, but he's willing to wait for Angel.
Angel (yeah), let's you and I explore
Suggesting that Angel explore and experience things with him.
I will do the same ting
Saying that she's open to the idea and will reciprocate.
I would take the stars out the sky for you (Beenie Man, Mya)
Repeating the phrase that they would do anything for the person.
I got a number one tune
Saying that they have a number one song.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Moses Davis, Chad Hugo, Pharrell Williams
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@danijmartinez
Who still listening in 2024?
@corrinTH016
Me..😢
@kevin_thevans1660
Back again 💀
@moniquesimmone2948
Me
@adorablediva5483
👍🏽
@danyellpierce8926
Love it still 🇯🇲🪘
@carlitojackson247
The vibe in this song exists in a realm the new generation won't be able to feel
@howardrobinson425
Los Mosthigh exactly this song has longevity
@howardrobinson425
Eli C Oh buddy, I do believe he meant that "the new generation" doesn't understand the vibe of this song. In addition, they listen to it but don't fully understand what this man has done for the industry. Furthermore, he and I are on the same page and you aren't.
@AllDailyInspirations
Howiie Oso lol