Dave Kelly Tribute Brings Reggae Sumfest 2022 To Raging Climax

From the sounds of Bounty Killer and Cham rinsing out the Jamaican invective “blood claat”, to the man of the moment Dave Kelly maintaining his mystique by shying away from the stage, to say the Reggae Sumfest’s Madhouse Tribute to Dave Kelly, was explosive would be an understatement.

Led by the sensiferous seven of Beenie Man, Bounty Killer, Cham, Wayne Wonder, Spragga Benz, Frisco Kid, and Mr. Easy, the segment brought Night Two of the event to a raging climax, with the artists spitting lyrics from the reclusive Dancehall music producer/songwriter’s arsenal of beats from the 1990s, beginning with Medicine which spawned hits such as Frisco Kid’s Little and Cute.

It was a momentous occasion for the women who let out wild screams when Spragga Benz, clad in monochromatic red, galloped onstage to join his colleagues, who in unison, went on to spew a string of hits from Bruk Out, Stink, Fiesta, Murderation, Bug/Clone, Joyride and Bounce, the seven alternating the use of the three  microphones which they jointly shared.

Dave Kelly, who ruled the 1990s, and is often labelled the greatest Dancehall producer of all time, crafted scores of other legendary riddims such as Bogle, Arab Attack, Heartbeat, Return, Haunted, Backyard and 85, from which songs were played by selector Richie D, kicked off the tribute.

Just before the close, Bounty Killer and Baby Cham’s premiered their song titled BLOOD CLXXT, from their upcoming EP, produced by Kelly and declared that, with the wanton murders taking place on the island, now was the ideal time to “say blood claat”.

The two were merciless in belting out the hook “bloodclaat”, with Cham urging the audience to follow their lead and utter the popular curse word, which, prior to this, has landed many an artist in court and even in jail.

And even when there were concerns by fans that the charges could be proffered by the police, after Cham commanded the audience to join them in singing BLOODCLXXT, the Ghetto Story artist scoffed at the idea, laughing as he advised them that no such arrest could be made.

“Mi waan hear di whole a Catherine Hall.  Dem caan lock wi up,” Cham, who was in a joyful mood declared triumphantly, as the now emboldened audience replied: “Bloodclaat!”

As Cham and the Warlord continued to let BLOOD CLXXT reign, they highlighted the recent involvement of a former Government Minister in an act of financial skullduggery.

“Di wickedest crime a poverty, neglect and broken promises,” Bounty declared.

As for the word “Blood Claat” and other similar words in the Jamaican vernacular, which ends with “claat” (Patois for cloth) have been up for discussion last week, with some of the island’s eminent lawyers explaining that the words in and of themselves cannot be considered obscene, profane or indecent by the police, unless they are being used in the context of furthering an aggression or a transgression on the rights of others.

Historically, these Jamaican terminologies refer to fabric/linen used as sanitary napkins used by women over the centuries, prior to the invention of feminine hygiene products.

Several artists over the years have been charged under Section 9C of the Town and Communities Act, which declares that persons who “sing any profane, indecent, or obscene song or ballad, or write or draw any indecent or obscene word, figure, or representation, or use any profane, indecent or obscene language publicly.  However the law does not specify which words are profane, but leaves it up to the police to make that determination.

During the tribute, Bounty asked the audience for “a warm appreciation for Mr Dave Kelly” whom he said was the heartbeat of Dancehall music production.

“This morning is a very special morning to all of us as artistes who perform in here.  This brother, this man has touched a lot of souls musically and he has touched all of our careers physically and musically,” Bounty said.

“This man has been in the music industry from before I came here and I came here 30 (years).  This man has been contributing way before me… big up to Streelie and Clevie, big up to Jazzwad.  But yuh si Dave Kelly – Dancehall belly!” he declared.

A video tribute was played at the beginning, with Tanya Stephens, Dave’s longtime friend from Penthouse days Buju Banton and others saluting him.

“I Buju Banton the original Gargamel seh Welly Skelly, I salute you from di heart.  One Dave Kelly, one Dave Kelly; one Madhouse,” Buju said.

Delano of Renaissance described him as “a musical scientist, a great producer”, while ZJ Rush termed him a legend.

“Dave Kelly is an urban legend.  Yuh hear him name call up everyday; yuh neva see him.  Yuh nuh know weh him look like,” he said.