It has been said of Jamaica that reggae music is the heartbeat of the people. If that is the case, dancehall music is the pulse thumping from the aorta. Standing tall and ready to explode like a nova, is O'Neil Bryan, better known as the dancehall music deejay Elephant Man. With his lisp, uncompromising charismatic style, spitfire patois lyrics and boundless energy, Elephant Man stands on the cusp of making an even bigger splash this year after winning fanfare in Jamaica, Europe, North America, and around the Caribbean. Listed as one of MTV's 'buzzworthy' artists to keep your eyes on, Elephant Man prepares for the December 1st release of his latest solo album,Good 2 Go.
To truly understand where it all started and how he got here, one needs to take a glance into his background. If you gazed into the everyday life of many of Jamaica's inner city youth, you would note that little changes from day to day. One thing you will invariably find, however, are more than a few school-aged boys bouncing musical lyrics off each other, whether it is of their own creation or that of their favourite deejay. It therefore comes as no surprise that the love of the music inevitably becomes rooted in their veins from an early age.
Bryan, born September 11, 1975, was no different. To get the full sense of this impact, one needs only to explore the dancehalls of Jamaica to witness what this vibrant genre of music means to the people. Come sundown, they are good to go. Bryan was nicknamed Elephant Man, a name given by a childhood friend who labeled him after the Disney character Dumbo, noted for its larger than average sized ears. While others would have gone with another handle for their deejay name, Bryan took it as is and focused on the task at hand - a career in the music business.
Growing up in Seaview Gardens, Kingston, Jamaica, he was drawn by the access to a recording studio owned by a friend, until he and a few friends later went on to record at King Jammy's Studio. He along with Boom Dandimite, Harry Toddler and Nitty Kutchie were later dubbed by Bounty Killer as the Scare Dem Crew. From there he launched a solo career. Elephant Man was, during the 1989 Sting Reggae Music Festival performance, given yet another nickname which he not only wears proudly but thrives on living up to -- that of Energy God. For those who have seen him in action, there is no doubt that he fits the bill. His sometimes manic style is undiluted, true to its hard core and ceaseless energy, and outright entertaining. Needless to say he has got his eyes on an ever bigger prize - 'the real market.'
His upcoming 23-track album, with a production team featuring the likes of Tony 'CD' Kelly, David Kelly, and rapper Lil' Jon, will showcase a few collaborations that delve into the hip-hop genre, some down south beats, a little Mexican flavour, lover's rock reggae, and hard core dancehall music. You will also see Killah Priest, Lil' Jon & The East Side Boyz, Renee, Jimmy Cozier, Bone Crusher, Big Tigg, Sasha, and a whole lot of new riddims.
As 'Ellie' puts it, "Some crazy crazy tune de pon it man. It's off the hook." Evidently, his new catch phrase for this year is "Mad, sick, head nuh good.." His frenzied stage persona is actually quite different from his regular demeanor. Elephant Man admits that dancehall music has changed him. "You can't live like you don't have any responsibilities any more," he says, "because you have a lot of fans who are kids. So they kind of look up to you so you know you are responsible for them in a way. You can't go on like 'seh you a hog and goat." You gotta keep it real and have your head on your body and know what you're doing, where to go and what to do and what not to do, what to say and what not to say. You have to learn to pick the wrong from the right, from the right moment at the right time."
Father God, he says is the inspiration for this album and he concedes that through ups and downs in the music business, "you can't really watch the downs but you have to focus on the ups and continue in that direction." He makes it clear that he is not about the rivalries which people try to create within the industry. "Rivalries never do a f*** for nobody so I don't want to hear about that," and as for the competitions,"reggae music is bigger than that."
He just wishes unity and harmony amongst all. His advice for the youth is to "love God and live, and to respect people." He has the respect of his peers, is making more hits as a solo artist, and can't see himself wanting to do anything other than performing. The most rewarding thing for him about dancehall has been "seeing the music stepping up and seeing where it is going."
He maintains that in spite of recent world events, the only place he wouldn't take the music right now is Iraq, but only because of the present conditions. He will, however, take the music anywhere Father God says he should take it and the people request it.
When asked what he believes he needs to do to cement his place in the pop world with the likes of Shabba Ranks, Shaggy, Beenie Man and Sean Paul, who is currently blazing a trail, Elephant Man says "give them some good music and performances and make sure they get a good album.. You si me? And give dem some hit tunes wha' can live inna dem like dem blood cells."
With his biggest solo track to-date "Pon de River, Pon De Bank" at Number 33 on the Billboard Music chart, and rising, you can be sure to see and hear more of "Ellie." He has just finished working on the Get Low remix with Lil' Jon and The East Side Boyz and Busta Rhymes; he's wrapped up recording with Mariah Carey and Da Brat; and there is the possibility of teaming up with R&B sensation R. Kelly in the near future. Elephant's coming at you with a higher level of intoxicating rhythms, new dance crazes, and straight out unparalleled raw energy.
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