Fans of Beenie Man and Vybz Kartel get the opportunity to decide which deejay is King of The Dancehall through a two-part sound system clash in New York called The Settlement. The events are scheduled for May 18 at Garage Night Club in The Bronx and June 7 at Mystic Lounge in Poughkeepsie.
Walford ‘Wally’ Stewart of Young Entrepreneurs Association of New York, are behind the shows which he said is the idea of his friend, Jerry McDonald.
“It was triggered by the report by FOX TV in New York that crowned Vybz Kartel the new ‘King of Dancehall’. Jerry came up with the name Settlement after seeing the passion with which Beenie Man fans defend him on social media and which Gaza fans celebrate and adore Vybz Kartel,” Stewart explained. “The fact is that these two dancehall icons are the most celebrated superstars we have had in the game over the past three decades. Both are prolific writers and both have released some of the most iconic songs ever.”
He added that both artists have a strong fan base in the Big Apple which remains dancehall’s hub outside of Kingston, Jamaica’s capital. Because Beenie Man hit his stride as a hit-maker in the late 1980’s, his supporters are a bit older than Kartel’s.
“Vybz Kartel definitely appeals to a much younger crowd, probably 17-35 years-olds while Beenie Man by his sheer longevity in the business appeals to the 30-55 year-old patron,” said Stewart. “Both artists have crossover appeal but their bases are still Jamaican and Caribbean dancehall music lovers.”
At both events, selectors The Platinum Kids, RFB DJs, DJ Genius and DJ Vybz Lord will play selections by Beenie Man and Kartel throughout. According to Stewart, “the crowd will ultimately decide who will be crowned Dancehall King.”
The 43-year-old Vybz Kartel is currently serving life imprisonment in Jamaica for the 2011 murder of Clive “Lizard” Williams.
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