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.
Ole Dawg
Beenie Man Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Old dawg, old dawggy, dawggy dog
Woah deh deh, woah..
Chorus
Old dawg like me
We haffi have dem inna two's an three
Believe you me,
We navle string cut under pum pum tree
1.
From mi see a gal whey look good
Mi haffi fool har an get whey mi want
Cause mi nuh live over Shortwood
So mi haffi bounce har mek she drop inna mi paw
A nuff gal mi a go pass through
Like Patra an di one Lady Saw
An mi deh hear bout di Oouch crew
Whey have them gal Xrated an raw
Dat mean we a go warn dem
And we haffi get dem
An nuh tell mi sey mi caan
Cause mi nuh join the hol dung an tek
Dat a Rape
But if mi beg an mi get that's great
Sometime mi preach but mi know mi wi wait
Me is a yute man whey have plenty faith
Chorus
2.
Mi believe ina sey man nuh fi watch nuh face
Agony fi gwaan from gal dey pon base
Woman fi get wine an gal fi get lace
Doberman nuh have time fi waa-aa-aste
Yuh know how mi a swear after Diana King
Nadine Sutherland and Chevelle Franklin
Mi want dem fi ride pon mi bulldawg rhythm
An lef di hol a dem alla sing
Chorus
3. How mi waan fi live mi mother tell mi sey mi caan
Five six seven eight gal a whey mi waan
One burner business a nuh me dat yaah
Me's a bwoy wi slam all mi mother-in-law
Think mi naw si-dung an watch how she roun
A long time mi a notice how di leg dem brown
Nuff night mi see har inna har mini night gown
A line mi a line up fi lick out mi sound
Chorus
The song Ole Dawg by Beenie Man is a commentary on the Jamaican dancehall scene and its culture, specifically the role of men and women in it. The song's title refers to the slang term "dawg" which is typically used to describe a male who is promiscuous and enjoys having multiple sexual partners. The chorus emphasizes the importance of having these "old dawgs" in groups of two or three and how they are known for being wild. The implication here is that their behavior is normalized and expected in this culture.
The first verse of the song describes the singer's desire to hook up with a good-looking girl. He knows he has to be smooth to get her to be interested in him because he doesn't come from a wealthy area. He mentions other famous female dancehall artists and the group "Oouch crew" who apparently have access to sexually explicit and rough situations with women. The singer feels the need to compete with them and states that he won't ever force himself on a woman but would be okay with begging and receiving pleasure from her.
The second verse reiterates the importance of women being engaged and enjoying themselves at dancehall events. The singer name-drops several well-known female artists and wishes for them to perform on his bulldawg rhythm. He wants them to lead the crowd in singing and dancing. The third verse details the singer's complicated relationship with his mother-in-law and his desire to be with many different women. His mother warns him to not be too promiscuous, but the singer doesn't listen and looks for ways to hook up with women.
Line by Line Meaning
Old dawg, old dawggy, dawggy dog
This is a nickname that I go by, which is why I'm referencing it in the chorus.
Old dawg like me
I am an experienced member of the community and I know how to handle myself.
We haffi have dem inna two's an three
I always travel with a group of other people.
An everybody know wi wild already
People expect me to be wild and unpredictable.
Believe you me,
Trust me when I say this.
We navle string cut under pum pum tree
We have experienced and been involved in sexually explicit activities.
From mi see a gal whey look good
As soon as I see an attractive woman,
Mi haffi fool har an get whey mi want
I will do what it takes to seduce her and get what I want from her.
Cause mi nuh live over Shortwood
I have to make the most of my opportunities when I have them because I don't have much time with these women.
So mi haffi bounce har mek she drop inna mi paw
I use my charm and confidence to make her fall for me.
A nuff gal mi a go pass through
I have had many sexual partners in the past.
Like Patra an di one Lady Saw
I have been involved with women who are also known for being sexually promiscuous.
An mi deh hear bout di Oouch crew
I have heard about a group of men who are known for taking advantage of women.
Whey have them gal Xrated an raw
These men take advantage of women by engaging in sexually explicit acts without their consent.
Dat mean we a go warn dem
I, along with other men, will warn these women to stay away from the Oouch crew.
And we haffi get dem
It is our responsibility to protect these women from harm.
An nuh tell mi sey mi caan
I will not be discouraged from doing what is right.
Cause mi nuh join the hol dung an tek
I do not condone rape or sexual assault.
Dat a Rape
Rape is a serious crime and should never be committed.
But if mi beg an mi get that's great
If a woman consents to sexual activity with me, I will gladly accept it.
Sometime mi preach but mi know mi wi wait
I may try to encourage others to do the right thing, but I know that change takes time.
Me is a yute man whey have plenty faith
I am a young man who has faith in doing what's right.
Mi believe ina sey man nuh fi watch nuh face
I believe in minding my own business and not being too critical of others.
Agony fi gwaan from gal dey pon base
Women should express themselves and enjoy life to the fullest.
Woman fi get wine an gal fi get lace
Women should be celebrated and treated with respect.
Doberman nuh have time fi waa-aa-aste
I don't waste time on things that are not important.
Yuh know how mi a swear after Diana King
I am a big fan of Diana King and I often swear by her music.
Nadine Sutherland and Chevelle Franklin
I also enjoy the music of these two female artists.
Mi want dem fi ride pon mi bulldawg rhythm
I would love to collaborate with them and have them sing on my tracks.
An lef di hol a dem alla sing
I will encourage them to express themselves and share their voices with the world.
How mi waan fi live mi mother tell mi sey mi caan
My mother has taught me to live an honest and respectable life.
Five six seven eight gal a whey mi waan
I am attracted to many different women.
One burner business a nuh me dat yaah
I don't judge others for their lifestyle choices.
Me's a bwoy wi slam all mi mother-in-law
I am a confident and bold person who is not afraid of anyone.
Think mi naw si-dung an watch how she roun
I am not one to sit back and watch things happen around me.
A long time mi a notice how di leg dem brown
I have been attracted to my mother-in-law for some time now.
Nuff night mi see har inna har mini night gown
I have often seen her dressed provocatively.
A line mi a line up fi lick out mi sound
I am working on making more music and I am confident that it will be well received.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: DAVE KELLY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
heidy martinez
first time that i heard this jam was back in 1997....today 2019 still my fav
zookid4
Still one of my favorite song
Sai-o Palin
Ole dawg like me
Me afi have them in a 2’s and 3’s
And everybody know me wild already
Believe you me
Mi navel string cut under va-gi-na tree
Tanya Forbes
2019 still listen
BEENIE TRUTH
Every minute 🔥🔥🔥🔥
Tatiberry32
Still bumping this shit
Daddy Reddss Promotions
Of course
BEENIE TRUTH
WUL DEM MI DJ 🕺🏾🕺🏾🕺🏾🕺🏾🕺🏾🕺🏾🕺🏾💥💥💥💥💥💥💥💥KODH!!!🤣🤣🤣🤣😂😂👈🏾
Niki Empress
2020?
Patrice Casciano
I so don't get it...and I have a college degree. I don't know why they want to alienate themselves to the masses. I don't understand any of this. Just sounds totally ignorant