BEENIE MAN
Photo: Varun Baker

Beenie Man has professed to be the King of Dancehall for quite a while now, with few bold enough to question that title. This year, however, he’s seen a few challenges to his proverbial throne. Last month, the incarcerated Vybz Kartel issued an album called King of Dancehall, seemingly elaborating on his I Am Dancehall claim from last year’s hit single, “Dancehall.” That same month, none other than Bounty Killer stepped up to support Kartel’s position. And, in the court of public opinion, the album version of Drake’s “Controlla” with Beenie pales in comparison to the original leak of the track with three verses from Popcaan. With Beenie receiving top billing on the festival’s Dancehall Night this Friday, the Sumfest stage provides him with a much-needed opportunity to silence naysayers, and re-affirm his now questioned claim on dancehall rule.