Search - Beenie Man :: From Kingston to King: Greatest Hits So Far (CD/DVD Combo)

Solid Collection

Malcolm X | 04/05/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This CD/DVD is a great buy for the new and the dedicated Beenie Man fan. For new fans, this is a great introduction to the hits that have truly made Beenie Man "King Of The Dancehall."



The Audio CD opens with Beenie's earliest & one of his biggest international hits "Who Am I." Who can forget the first time they heard "Zim Zimmer, who got the keys to my beamer?" "Girls Dem Sugar" & "Romie" are 2 more classics that will get any dancehall to this day popping. "Ole Dawg" & "Slam" boast production from superstar dancehall producer Dave Kelly. Think what Dre as a producer is to hip-hop, thats Dave Kelly to dancehall. Of course the necessary Virgin hits like "Girls Dem Sugar" remix feat. Mya, "Love Me Now" feat. Wyclef, "Dude" feat. Ms. Thing & "King Of The Dancehall" are all present. Not to mention my favorite "Bossman" feat. Sean Paul & Lady Saw. Its good to see that "Row Like A Boat" (previously unreleased in the U.S.) which is Beenie praising Bogle & "The Specialists" feat. Vybz Kartel are included, as many would consider these big hits for Beenie. There are definitely hot tracks on the audio CD that any Beenie Man fan would love to have on 1 disc. Its not so much a greatest hits, but a collection, very well titled for this CD.



The DVD is the gem however, the added treat. Incredible live footage displays Beenie's raw talent, touching footage of Beenie at his best friend's funeral, and horrifying footage of Beenie's Hummer accident in Jamaica. Its all there in a half hour featurette which is very well put together. Not to mention all 7 of his music videos released on Virgin.



This is definitely a must for all Beenie Man fans. In looking at the comments at the review below, it is obvious this person does not know a thing about Beenie Man. There is not one homophobic lyric on this release, nor any of the songs on the 3 Virgin released Beenie Man albums. The singles mentioned below were released soley in Jamaica, and in the U.S. are hard if not impossible to come by. Therefore non of these songs are promoted and easily accessed to people. Not to excuse Beenie Man for actually recording them, but the very comment the reviewer below made comparing Eminem to Beenie is ridiculous. Why is Eminem excused?? This reviewer below says at least Eminem's lyrics weren't as serious & homicidal as Beenie Man's and it is expected of Eminem to say these things because he got a reputation of saying them? So that excuses Eminem? Because he is expected by people to say these things? So that makes Eminem exempt? Please the only reason this writer says this below is because Eminem is white. Its okay for Eminem because he is white, it is not okay for Beenie because of his skin color. Eminem is not to be taken seriously when he says he will murder & rape his wife because he is white, while Beenie Man is to be taken serious that he will kill gays because he is black. That was just an incredible remark. Its okay to excuse a white guy rapping about killing & raping his wife & spitting homophobic lyrics, because we expect this from Em because he has a "crazy" reputation, but Beenie Man, the Jamaican is a cold blooded killer and means what he says.



I just don't buy it. The fact none of the songs on this CD & all of the content on the DVD do not have anything remotely homophobic on them, obviously shows this reviewer did not even listen to the audio CD nor watch the DVD. Therefore that review should be voided and not taken seriously."

Beenie always a king

A. Hood | Texas, USA | 03/27/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Anyone that is a true dancehall fan will love this CD, Beenie has been singing since the tender age of 10. He is the king indeed!! Unfortunately people think that only North American recognition boost your music career. Well those of you out there knows that Beenie Man is no one album wonder. He's been around way before Sean Paul and alot of others. Do your home work before you try to knock the "Grammy Kid". No man can keep him down, including the Gay activist."

BIG Package!!! Well done!!

Mike Stand | NY, USA | 12/07/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Firstly, Beenie has been recording since 9 years of age. Its now 20 years of music. He was crowned DJ of the year in Jamaica numerous times including a five-year streak in the 1990s. He has won nearly every major award in reggae or Caribbean music, from MOBO to Tamika, to Grammy. Its impossible to capture such a reign on ONE CD. So I must give them credit for undertaking such a difficult task. This is an excellent package filled with hardcore hits and good video footage.

The CD places the chosen hits in chronological order, which is useful for charting the success of Jamaica`s most seasoned danchall ambassador. "Who Am I", featured first, was his international breakthrough, earning him reviews in Newsweek magazine--a first at that time for a danchall entertainer. The Punaany ridim is featured here in 2 variations in Romie and Girls Dem Sugar which put Beenie firmly in the international limelight. Those singles galvanised his urban popularity in the mid to late 90s, being featured in a variety of remix styles. "Slam" introduced a different meaning to an old word and now in dancehall circles the word has only one mischeivous meaning. Other favorites here include " Row Like A Boat" which signalled Beenies return to local chart topping after international and crossover success on Art and Life. This DJ is known for his versatility on stage and in the studio and "Nuff Gal" proves why. "King of the Dancehall" a more recent hit, displays Beenies talent for sexually outrageous lines. Dave Kelly, the ace dancehall producer, teamed up with Beenie in 2004 to produce the massive hit "Dude" also featured here. After a lukewarm start to the millenium, this hit put Beenie back at the top of his game.

This CD reverberates with energy and attitude, and is a good tribute to a veteran artiste who after 2 decades is still thrilling audiences worldwide. Seen strictly from an artistic or entertainment viewpoint, this CD will certainly not disappoint.



Disclaimer:

Dancehall is not for everyone. Dancehall fans know that if you listen for a while you will hear calls to burn the Vatican, assassinate world leaders and shoot those who cooperate with the police. Sounds a lot like its cousin rap music, doesn`t it? So homosexuals should not feel they are getting any special hate. And neither Beenie, NOR DANCEHALL, is singularly guilty of these now so-called lyrical crimes.



By the way, moderators, isn`t it a contravention of the rules here that certain reviews do not even address the content of the CD they are supposed to be reviewing?



Taken from amazon.com...



"What to include:



* Your review should focus on the music on this CD."

"