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.
Set Away
Beenie Man Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Dancing is not a crime
How some man a gwaan like it's fightin' time
When it's dancing time
Our time and a now time
Before everybody start fuss (Uh huh!)
John Hype have a new dance fi buss (Yo!)
Fan dung di bus I am di girls dem bus (Yeah)
Before dem seh dem own this now (Yeo!)
Mi have a new dance weh name Zagga Zow (Wha)
Zagga Zow, Zagga Zow, Everybody yuh fi
Mon set away, set away, set away, set away
Rockaway, rockaway, rockaway, rockaway
Set away, set away, set away, set away
Rockaway, rockaway, rockaway, rockaway
Fire Links a play and champagne poppin'
John Hype di new dance sensation we coppin'
Oh! Dat's why some fassy face grudge him
Can stop him really waan know di man livin'
Every weekend di man show seh him fly in
Haggart ? and Bogle 'gon' a farin
Dem time a dancehall a get pure floppin'
Plus only Fire Links and some sound dat's winnin'
Stone Love Lover's choice keep downtown rockin'
Everyting keep up sounds use to pack in
Wid a dance name Driver, everybody love it
Now everybody start come'.
So we set away, set away, set away, set away
Rockaway, rockaway, rockaway, rockaway
Set away, set away, set away, set away
Rockaway, rockaway, rockaway, rockaway
Hey gal, Shelly Belly and Blas' Blah
And mi see somebody girl deh mi know dem a nuh fraud
Dem a do di new dance a run Jamaica and Bronx
Blas' blah dem a do Blas' blah
Labba Labba, nuh watch nuh bwoy face and a talk
Bend up yuh face Labba Labba nah laugh
Shake dem off, shake dem off,
Shake dem off dem a work witchcraft
Shake dem off, shake dem off, cho!
Mon set away, set away, set away, set away
Rockaway, rockaway, rockaway, rockaway
Set away, set away, set away, set away
Rockaway, rockaway, rockaway, rockaway
I'm di girls dem sugar honey ain't nuh braggin'
Par wid John Hype cau di girls dem love him
Well, shoot out and grenade thin
Pure niceness nuh life ain't taken
Well! Everybody ready fi di dancing
Just, fan dem off if yuh back tun in
Yo fan dem off, fan dem off, fan dem off wid yuh back tun in
Ok, Everybody waan a brand new ting
Yo! Tell di squad ?
Brush dem off, brush dem off, brush dem off, yah mon
Mon set away, set away, set away, set away
Rockaway, rockaway, rockaway, rockaway
Set away, set away, set away, set away
Rockaway, rockaway, rockaway, rockaway
Before everybody start fuss (Uh huh!)
John Hype have a new dance fi buss (Yo!)
Everybody yuh fi fan dung di bus,
Fan dung di bus I am di girls dem bus (Yeah)
Before dem seh dem own this now (Yeo!)
Mi have a new dance weh name Zagga Zow (Wha)
Zagga Zow, Zagga Zow, Everybody yuh fi
Mon set away, set away, set away, set away
Rockaway, rockaway, rockaway, rockaway
Set away, set away, set away, set away
Rockaway, rockaway, rockaway, rockaway
Mon set away, set away, set away, set away
Rockaway, rockaway, rockaway, rockaway
Set away, set away, set away, set away
Rockaway, rockaway, rockaway, rockaway
Set Away by Beenie Man is a dancehall track urging everyone to dance and enjoy themselves without causing fights or trouble. The lyrics emphasise the importance of the dance and its ability to bring people together in a positive way. The song talks about new dance moves such as Zagga Zow and John Hype's new dance, and encourages fans to "fan dung di bus" and follow along. The song also mentions popular dancers such as Shelly Belly and Labba Labba, who are respected for their dance moves and ability to keep the party going. The chorus repeats the phrases "set away" and "rockaway" multiple times, both of which are dance moves.
The song was released in 2006 and quickly became a hit in Jamaica and beyond. It was written by Beenie Man himself and produced by Tony Kelly. The song's catchy beat and infectious lyrics made it a dancehall favourite, and it is still played at parties and events around the world. Set Away and its dance moves have been used in various music videos, TV shows and advertisements.
Line by Line Meaning
Zagga nagga now now!
Let's get ready to dance!
Dancing is not a crime
People who love to dance shouldn't be shamed for it.
How some man a gwaan like it's fightin' time
Why are some people acting like it's a battle instead of a dance floor?
When it's dancing time
It's time to let loose and have fun.
Our time and a now time
This is our moment to shine and enjoy ourselves to the fullest.
Before everybody start fuss (Uh huh!)
Before anyone starts complaining,
John Hype have a new dance fi buss (Yo!)
John Hype has a new dance move to introduce.
Everybody yuh fi fan dung di bus,
Everyone should flock around the dance floor,
Fan dung di bus I am di girls dem bus (Yeah)
Everyone should join in the fun because it's all about the ladies.
Before dem seh dem own this now (Yeo!)
Before anyone claims the spotlight,
Mi have a new dance weh name Zagga Zow (Wha)
I have a new dance move called Zagga Zow.
Zagga Zow, Zagga Zow, Everybody yuh fi
Everyone should learn and join in on the Zagga Zow.
Mon set away, set away, set away, set away
Rockaway, rockaway, rockaway, rockaway
Set away, set away, set away, set away
Rockaway, rockaway, rockaway, rockaway
Let's dance and get lost in the rhythm with Mon and Rockaway.
Fire Links a play and champagne poppin'
The music is blaring and champagne is being popped.
John Hype di new dance sensation we coppin'
Everyone is captivated by John Hype's new dance move.
Oh! Dat's why some fassy face grudge him
That's why some people are envious of him.
Can stop him really waan know di man livin'
They can't stop him and really want to know how he lives his life.
Every weekend di man show seh him fly in
Every weekend he shows up and kills it on the dance floor.
Haggart ? and Bogle 'gon' a farin
Haggart and Bogle are taking their moves overseas.
Dem time a dancehall a get pure floppin'
The dancehall scene used to have a lot of bad dancers.
Plus only Fire Links and some sound dat's winnin'
Fire Links and a few others were the only ones able to keep the crowd engaged.
Stone Love Lover's choice keep downtown rockin'
Stone Love Lover's choice is keeping downtown alive with the music.
Everyting keep up sounds use to pack in
Everything is still packed with party-goers enjoying the music.
Wid a dance name Driver, everybody love it
The Driver dance move is a crowd favorite.
Now everybody start come'.
Now everyone is showing up to dance and have fun.
Hey gal, Shelly Belly and Blas' Blah
Hey girls, let's get ready to dance the Shelly Belly and the Blas' Blah.
And mi see somebody girl deh mi know dem a nuh fraud
And I see some girls I know for sure aren't trying to deceive anyone.
Dem a do di new dance a run Jamaica and Bronx
They're doing the new dance move that's popular in both Jamaica and the Bronx.
Blas' blah dem a do Blas' blah
They're doing the Blas' Blah dance move.
Labba Labba, nuh watch nuh bwoy face and a talk
Labba Labba doesn't pay attention to anyone's negative comments.
Bend up yuh face Labba Labba nah laugh
Even when others are making fun of him, Labba Labba won't let it get to him.
Shake dem off, shake dem off,
Shake dem off dem a work witchcraft
Shake off anyone who's trying to bring negativity and hate, they're trying to bring some kind of evil spell onto you.
Shake dem off, shake dem off, cho!
Let's shake them off and keep dancing!
I'm di girls dem sugar honey ain't nuh braggin'
I'm the women's favorite, not to brag or anything.
Par wid John Hype cau di girls dem love him
I'm hanging out with John Hype because the ladies really love him.
Well, shoot out and grenade thin
Don't bring weapons, let's just have a good time.
Pure niceness nuh life ain't taken
Let's be happy and enjoy ourselves, there's no need for violence.
Well! Everybody ready fi di dancing
Everyone is ready to start dancing!
Just, fan dem off if yuh back tun in
Just push anyone out of the way and keep dancing if you're feeling it.
Yo fan dem off, fan dem off, fan dem off wid yuh back tun in
Push them out of the way and keep going even if your back is turned.
Ok, Everybody waan a brand new ting
Everyone wants to learn a new dance move.
Yo! Tell di squad ?
Tell everyone in the crew,
Brush dem off, brush dem off, brush dem off, yah mon
We need to push anyone out of the way so we can dance without any distractions.
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: ANDREW THOMAS, MOSES DAVIS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind