What is dancehall? Dancehall is NOT reggae. It's the Jamaican analogue to hiphop. Both have roots in Jamaica, coming from dance DJs who would "toast" (rap) over instrumental versions of hit records at parties. DJs like Cool Herc and Red Alert came to New York and introduced toasting at block parties. Americans took and developed it using American soul and funk influences. Jamaican DJs like Big Youth took it on its own path and assimilated U.S. influences on the way. Dancehall is unlike hiphop in its sampling vocabulary (reggae, not funk), its lingo ("rudeboy" = "gangster") and in that its godfathers (Sly and Robbie, who play here) are still vital, unlike our sleeping giants James Brown and George Clinton.
Who is Ninja Man? Ninja Man is the most fearsome of dancehall DJs and the biggest crowd pleaser in Jamaica. He hasn't been signed to a U.S. major because he's "difficult." His style is what you'd call hardcore Ñ thick patois, use of beats and rhythms that are alien to American ears Ñ but he consistently dogs DJs popular in the U.S. (Shabba Ranks, Supercat) at all-day music festivals in Jamaica. His fans are violent. Nobody wants to share a bill with him.
Nobody's Business But My Own is the best dancehall album I know to exist. (Pat Anders)