Published December 2000 

Dancehall Meets Hip Hop

Baby Cham's Groundbreaking Debut

By Lynden Vassell

Dancehall music and Hip-hop music have long been first cousins. While one flourished in the Caribbean, the other thrived in the USA. Dancehall artists like Shabba Ranks, Shaggy and Beenie Man, have made giant steps in the unification of these genres, as reggae/dancehall music finds its way into the realm of popular music. Enters Dameon Dean Beckett, better known as Baby Cham, with his signature phrase "wow-wow" and as ambitious a debut as has ever been witnessed on the dancehall, and probably the popular music, scene - a two disc album entitled WOW - The Story.

One disc features a barrage of dancehall hits while the other is loaded with r&b/ hip-hop appeal. Cham explains "it is not really a hip-hop disc but rather a fusion." Cham, under the guidance of trendsetting producer Dave Kelly, founder of Madhouse Records, believed it was necessary to take the music to another level. "We, (Kelly and Cham) thought we would break different grounds" by fusing the beats with r&b, hip-hop, jazz, and a bit of rock.

"The words are clearer for people to understand. If you noticed, Bob Marley never sang in patois" (the Jamaican dialect). The result thus far has a been outstanding. The album which enlists Foxy Brown, Shaggy, Hope, Mr. Easy, Stranger, Bounty Killer, and words of inspiration from Dameon's 'Mama Jennie', is captivating audiences on a global scale.

In Jamaica, the album has already made history by being the first album and first single from that album to both debut at number one. The dancehall single "Man & Man," and the album, has been holding down the top spot for seven consecutive weeks. In Europe and the USA, the album has been doing very well since it's October 24th release despite not having a video or a single released there as yet.

In England, the dancehall single "Man & Man" has been added to BBC's playlist, as well as "More," with Foxy Brown. Word caught up with Dameon as he sat back on his tour bus checking out an NBA basketball game between the Lakers and the Pacers. The ensuing conversation not only illustrated his charisma, but showed this 23 year old artist's fire and desire to succeed.

If one is to try and pinpoint what it is about Baby Cham that causes people to gravitate towards him, there are a myriad of things which one can attribute. In the words of his marketing team, Cham possesses a deadly combination of boyish good looks, thunderous baritone, spitfire lyricism, commanding delivery and, another factor that many will attest to, dazzling live performances.

Born Dameon Dean Beckett in Kingston, Jamaica on February 24, 1977, Cham began honing his deejay skills at the age seven. His friends nicknamed him Deanie Man but it was felt that the name was too close to Beenie Man, another artist which he studies in order to master his craft. As one of nine children whose father died in 1991, Dameon put aside childhood aspirations and decided to become an entertainer.

Today Cham declares that the best part about being an entertainer is "meeting the fans and performing in front of a lot of people. The bigger the venue the better. Anytime the stakes get higher I love to step up, especially if there are big names involved," adds Cham.

Mutual admiration has resulted in not only a variety of artists on board for this double album release, but exhibitionist behavior normally reserved for heart-throbs. When asked about the probability of seeing a lot more Victoria Secret drawers, (reference to the track with Foxy Brown), Cham laughing, acknowledged that they have been thrown at him but he realizes that it's just the love of the fans and not about individual hype.

"You have to treat them well," he says, "without them you're nothing at all. It's all about the music and the work that needs to be done." He recalls a recent promotion where upon his signing of an album for a fan brought tears from her eyes. "That alone makes you know you have to cherish your fans no matter what," says Cham.

Cham and producer, Dave Kelly are one deadly combination filled with mutual trust and respect. Kelly was instrumental in the signing with the Artist Only! record label, instead of a major label. Add to this is the confidence they've demonstrated with Cham pulling off a double disc release. In addition to that, Cham has toured with Wyclef Jean on the MTV College circuit, as well as with Beenie Man, and Cham and his management is presently laying the groundwork for another tour throughout the U.S. with designs on Europe, Asia and Canada for the upcoming year. "Canadians have always given me a warm welcome from 1995," says Cham, "even without a hit single."

Through all of this, Cham has not been free from controversy. His dancehall hit called "Desperate Measure" has been banned from the airwaves in Jamaica while other fan favorites are under consideration. "Desperate Measures" issued a challenge to the government to let them, the artists, run the country for an hour. The officials accepted an invitation to the studio for a dialogue on the songs, and the plight of the poor, which resulted in a positive exchange.

Cham states that "you just have to write smarter so that a song has the same impact without profanities." The government officials pointed out that an artist can not just say anything on a recording, because of the power they have over the listeners. "The people rely on the artists to be their voice, a mirror of the society," explains Cham." With such an outlook and strong work ethic, it is clear to see why he is "Heading To The Top".

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