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.
Monster Look
Beenie Man Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Do I have, do I have to know, do I have
Do I have to know, do I have what I have to know
Oh no, no, no, no, natty
[Chorus]
Do I have that monster look (ben up yuh face nuh)
Mek mi push it down inna mi book
Mek mi out it pon mi cassette Rex
Do I have that monster walk (straighten up yuh talk)
Yuh haffi sleep pon side walk, geez
Mi haffi wonder wha some idiot believe
Mi nuh buy daily news 'cause a X-News mi read
From a bwoy dis di programme and mek mi get grieve
Cut a bwoy waah cut mi speed
But nuh let mi convert and transform inna monster
Else it a go worse a than a natural disaster
Mi nah go jail and crow like rooster
So is either or ither, so hear mi halla
Yuh haffi bad down inna the ghetto weh yuh grow yuh know
If yuh act like fool yuh get overthrow
When the last man standing the world shall know
Bwoy dead like a cowboy show
A long time mi did a warn dem and tell dem fi cool
Mi jam and relax put a hold pon mi tool
Some bwoy out a road a me dem waan dis
Dem never realize seh I'm a bomb specialist
I nuh response a who, a coulda friend, a coulda massive
A coulda buddies, a coulda crew, hold on deh
A nuh me yuh fight the mount a fire mi a push yuh believe a daylight
And the amount a breeze mi a blow mi wi lift up a kite
Mi is like a volcano, mi nuh bus overnight
Well a Moses mi name, mi nuh waah be like Mike (watch mi style)
Life inna sorrow dis mi today and mi check yuh tomorrow
Ooh mi a one bad man wid experience
Put on mi frock and mi wig tek a hundred fence
When mi reach up a yuh corner yuh face haffi dent
Treat mi a send and mi naah mek nuh statement
And mi wi set a bomb inna yuh apartment
And mi a one weh wi wipe out yuh resident
But mi a use mi conscience and ask yuh
[Chorus]
The song "Monster Look" by Beenie Man takes on a powerful tone as it delves into the concept of being perceived as a monster by society. The lyrics question if the singer has a "monster look" and if they have to know how to become one. The song seems to be a commentary on the way society views individuals in the ghetto and how they are often deemed as monsters for their actions.
The chorus then goes on to describe different attributes of a monster, such as having a monster flex, walk, and look. The lyrics suggest that individuals in the ghetto are judged harshly and that their actions and mannerisms are associated with being monstrous. The song emphasizes the idea that those who want to survive in the ghetto must act tough and not show any weakness.
The second verse of the song is a warning to those who would try to mess with the singer. The lyrics suggest that the singer is experienced and capable of handling any situation. They warn that they are a bomb specialist and have the ability to set bombs in someone's apartment or wipe out their residence. The song showcases the attitude of defiance and toughness that is often seen in inner-city communities.
Line by Line Meaning
Monster, monster, monster, ya, monster, ya
Repetition of the word 'monster' to emphasize the theme of the song.
Do I have, do I have to know, do I have
Asking if the singer needs to have certain traits or actions to be considered dangerous or as a 'monster'.
Do I have to know, do I have what I have to know
Questioning the requirements or expectations to fit the mold of a 'monster'.
Oh no, no, no, no, natty
Interjecting with a Jamaican slang term 'natty' which means to express a feeling of disbelief or shock.
Do I have that monster look (ben up yuh face nuh)
Asking if the artist has the intimidating appearance or demeanor of a 'monster'. ('Ben up yuh face nuh' means to straighten up one's face or expression.)
Mek mi push it down inna mi book
The singer intends to keep any menacing qualities or traits hidden or suppressed, like a secret in their 'book' or personal history.
Do I have that monster flex (big up yuh chest)
Asking if the singer possesses the boldness or confidence of a 'monster'. ('Big up yuh chest' means to stand tall and proud.)
Mek mi out it pon mi cassette Rex
Implying that the artist will broadcast or showcase their 'monster' persona on their music cassette ('Rex' is a name).
Do I have that monster walk (straighten up yuh talk)
Asking if the artist has the imposing mannerisms or way of walking of a 'monster'. ('Straighten up yuh talk' means to speak confidently and assertively.)
Yuh haffi sleep pon side walk, geez
Suggesting that anyone who challenges the artist's 'monster' status will meet dangerous consequences, even to the point of being forced to sleep on the sidewalk. ('Geez' is an expression of amazement or disbelief.)
Mi haffi wonder wha some idiot believe
Expressing the singer's confusion about the beliefs of certain individuals who may not see the danger in challenging the singer.
Mi nuh buy daily news 'cause a X-News mi read
Indicating that the artist stays informed with conspiracy theories or alternative news ('X-News') that may influence their perspective of the world.
From a bwoy dis di programme and mek mi get grieve
Angered by someone who deviates from the expected behavior or program and causes trouble for the singer.
Cut a bwoy waah cut mi speed
The singer intends to harm anyone who threatens their progress or limits their abilities, like 'cutting their speed'.
But nuh let mi convert and transform inna monster
The singer does not want to become a 'real' monster despite their intimidating persona or reputation.
Else it a go worse a than a natural disaster
Warning that if the artist does become a true monster, it would be much worse than any natural disaster. ('Else it a go' means 'otherwise it will'.)
Mi nah go jail and crow like rooster
The artist intends to avoid going to jail and being humiliated or exposed as a fake, like a rooster crowing.
So is either or ither, so hear mi halla
Implying that if someone challenges the singer's 'monster' status, they will face dire consequences. ('So is either or ither' means 'it's either one or the other'.)
Yuh haffi bad down inna the ghetto weh yuh grow yuh know
Referring to the tough nature required to survive in one's childhood neighborhood or 'ghetto'.
If yuh act like fool yuh get overthrow
Warning that anyone who acts foolish and challenges the artist will be defeated or 'overthrown'.
When the last man standing the world shall know
Implying that the artist will emerge victorious in any conflict or altercation and make a lasting impression on the world.
Bwoy dead like a cowboy show
The artist intends to kill anyone who challenges them without remorse, like a scene in a cowboy movie.
A long time mi did a warn dem and tell dem fi cool
The singer has warned certain individuals for a long time to stop acting foolishly or challenging their 'monster' status.
Mi jam and relax put a hold pon mi tool
The artist is taking a break from being threatening or dangerous ('hold pon mi tool' means putting a hold on their weapon).
Some bwoy out a road a me dem waan dis
Certain individuals want to challenge or provoke the singer when they see them on the street.
Dem never realize seh I'm a bomb specialist
These individuals do not know that the singer is highly skilled in causing destruction or harm, like a 'bomb specialist'.
I nuh response a who, a coulda friend, a coulda massive
The singer will not hesitate to harm anyone who challenges them, regardless of their relationship or affiliation ('massive' means group or crew).
A coulda buddies, a coulda crew, hold on deh
Emphasizing that even friends or associates can be targeted if they cross the artist.
A nuh me yuh fight the mount a fire mi a push yuh believe a daylight
Implying that the people who challenge the artist are not truly fighting them ('fight' means 'mess with'), but rather a force of nature ('mount a fire') that the artist can exert. ('Believe a daylight' means to believe without a doubt.)
And the amount a breeze mi a blow mi wi lift up a kite
The singer is so mighty and powerful that their very presence ('breeze') can lift up a kite ('amount a breeze' means a lot of wind).
Mi is like a volcano, mi nuh bus overnight
Comparing the singer's power and might to a volcano, and reassuring that their abilities did not come overnight or without effort ('nuh bus' means didn't burst).
Well a Moses mi name, mi nuh waah be like Mike (watch mi style)
Identifying the artist as 'Moses' and declaring that they do not want to be like other famous individuals, preferring to have their own unique style or persona.
Life inna sorrow dis mi today and mi check yuh tomorrow
The artist may appear sad or troubled ('life inna sorrow') but they will come back stronger ('check yuh tomorrow').
Ooh mi a one bad man wid experience
Declaring that the artist is a 'bad man' with a lot of experience in being dangerous or intimidating.
Put on mi frock and mi wig tek a hundred fence
The singer is comfortable in their intimidating persona that they will even wear a dress ('frock') and wig to show their power and authority ('take a hundred fence' means to be fearless).
When mi reach up a yuh corner yuh face haffi dent
Implying that anyone who challenges the artist will be met with damage or injury ('face haffi dent' means will be bruised or damaged).
Treat mi a send and mi naah mek nuh statement
Warning that anyone who threatens or challenges the singer will be retaliated against ('treat mi a send' means they will receive harm from the singer's accomplices), but the singer will not confess or admit anything ('naah mek nuh statement').
And mi wi set a bomb inna yuh apartment
The singer is not afraid to use explosives or violence to harm anyone who crosses them.
And mi a one weh wi wipe out yuh resident
The singer will not hesitate to eliminate anyone who opposes them or lives in their neighborhood ('wipe out yuh resident').
But mi a use mi conscience and ask yuh
Although the artist may appear threatening or violent, they still have a conscience and are asking for a peaceful resolution or dialogue ('ask yuh').
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: STEVEN MICHAEL MARSDEN, LOWELL DUNBAR, MOSES DAVIS, PAUL TYRELL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind