Marvin Sparks

Big dutty stinkin' Shabba voices "None A Dem" on Di Genius' infectious Peppa riddim. Sounds like he's throwing words after Vybz Kartel. The legend Shabba asks "How can you not rate who come before you? You're going on like you came around here and made music big." before boldly (well, as bold as an indirect can be) stating "None a dem nuh bad like Shabba Rankin'... Stop that fool there and ask him if him nuh imitate the great Shabba Rankin'. Stop that one there and ask him if him nuh imitate the Rankin', the vibes I bring the big song that I sing must inspire and motivate him." Mad ting! So, both Beenie Man and Shabba Ranks have chomped the bait ( "Dancehall Hero" ). Who next? Shaggy? Hahaha! Kartel must be laughing. Don't expect a return diss track - Kartel's too smart for that. It'll most certainly be an entertaining response, be it a line in a song or a cheeky comment in an interview. p.s. This isn't...

Vybz Kartel teams up with producer-now-apparantly-artist Russian to create what he hopes is a fashionista follow-up to the successful Clarks trilogy (more the 2nd) I now like this song. Didn't have much of an effect on me first time round, but it catchy nuh fk. Big tune That isn't the only reason I posted this; it annoys me to see the infiltration of American culture by Jamaican artists/Jamaican. Remember when Jamaica used to set the trends? Why decide to follow? Have some originality. And what's good with the face? Whilst on the subject of Kartel, this video's jokes. Mad Collab will probably be riddim of the year

Despite falling out with some/most/damn near all of the main players in the reggae/dancehall industry through either disrespectful lyrics on songs, explicit pictures, accusations of ordering beatdowns on former members of the Gaza camp/Portmore Empire, deejay of the year in both 08 and 09 has released a banger for the summer. Who said traditional dancehall was dead?! Once again, dancehall is starting to kick again this time of the year. Nuff riddims released from earlier this year seem to be picking up heat as well as new riddims dropping. Maybe it's down to sun in sky for me. Even former B2K front man Omarion tweeted "Waan gwaan popcaan!! "CLARKES" VYZB KaRtel!" ( click here for the proof ) We'll excuse the minor typo, it isn't that big a deal. My bredrin in Jamaica told me you can't find Clarks to buy in stores in Jamaica. Kartel, tell Clarks "cut di cheque!" Clarks will be dropped next to Nuh Linga, Click Mi Finger and/or Sweep throughou...

Yes you read it correctly. The two have been embroiled in beef since 06, last seen on stage together during their much-hyped, but very disappointing clash last year at Sting. Dudus (if you know who he is you know, if not, well Google) made it all happen at West Kingston Jamboree, literally minutes ago. Here is the evidence (thanks to Liv_Up "ya riddim straight"): What does this mean for 2010? We've been here before with the press conference last year but that didn't stop the clash at Sting. "Mi hope and pray// hope and pray" this one lasts longer and everyone can work on the same riddims (click for post I did on Gully vs Gaza vs Producers) , shows and no more "fussin and fightin". Guess it's only La Lewis and Mr. G warrin at Sting this year unless Bounty wants to clash. Grung Gaad still has a problem with him. Peace, one love and unity mi say! (I still say Gully but whatever)! If you liked that/ "bare plugs, pluggin ting" (this was th...

So if you haven't been following, Kartel and Mavado (scroll to the bottom of the Killer vs. Kartel war report) have been sending songs after each other AGAIN. LAME we don't want to hear you two warring again. Just as we were getting somewhat near a peace treaty (AGAIN), you both decide to draw for war tunes. Why? We don't want to see a rematch this year at Sting, cos to be quite frank, the last wasn't that good. Both have managed to move on with their careers, Kartel's flourishing both locally and for the first time in a while internationally (since VISA was revoked?), whilst Mavado continues to make headway collaborating/in the studio with the likes of DJ Khaled, Busta Rhymes, Wyclef and Young Jeezy to Alicia Keys. Last year, it was at the forefront of everyone's mind and captured our imagination. Now it's at the point where it is more likely to result in a lose-lose. We've had to endure Bounty Killer vs. Beenie Man on-and-off for over a decade, please...

Riddim built by my favourite production house right now, Head Concussion, lyrics laced by one of the fiercist lyricists in the dancehall game. Fans who dabble in dancehall music don't really understand this guys levels. Could be down to his clarity, but still. Video is big too, feel the way it captured paranoia Jah Vinci's 'Mi Know' is possibly the stand-out cut on the riddim. I also feel the Vybz Kartel hook (not hot on the song as a whole. Vybz Kartel did deliver on this next riddim, once again Head Concussion. Features cuts other members from his Portmore Empire camp; Lisa Hype & Gaza Kim, Black Rhyno, the man himself and again with Merital Family Feel every song in this video. The female song not as much, but it serves it purpose.

Unlike Ele vs Flippa this war actually has substance. If you don't know here's a brief: After being written a few songs by said artist, Bounty Killer (Killa) introduces and mentors (sons) Vybz Kartel Kartel appeared & performed at Beenie Man (Killer's arch-enemy since 190-long) wedding Kartel declares emancipation from Bounty Killer-led Alliance camp stressing the need to grow his own wings to fly Killer calls Kartel ungrateful Mavado and Kartel war begins, Killer makes a whole heap of subliminal songs directed at Kartel... Kartel has made a few songs directly dissin Killer, but Killer never really outright replied causing many and even Kartel ( Click for Vybz Kartel dissin Alliance "Suck pu**y Killer can't diss me" ) to suspect the once fearless Killer was running scared of the 'War Angel' aka Gaza yout' Vybz Kartel. Killer finally plucked up the courage to send shots at Kartel But most notably with Chatta Box Vybz Kartel allegedly missed a b...

In celebration of Usain Bolt's incredible achievements (Gold and WR in a like "Did he just really run that time?" speed) Vybz Kartel decided to make a tribute Bit poor don't? To make up for it watch the race again How does a 6'5 man drive out of the blocks like that? Unbeatable I was going to do a big blog on what I did and still do consider as the most intense sporting rivalry of the year, but I was too busy. I apologise. In brief I was going to comment on the way the two had stayed apart, Gay had ran the faster times but in the better conditions etc. but sadly I'll never get to write it because Gay, although gave a valiant effort which was worthy of gold, was dismantled in absolutely astonishing fashion. Bolt to the world. And for those who don't know which dance he did with Asafa Powell (vid cuts off before), it is called luggo luggo and was featured in this summer 08 chart-topper Go on laugh, but everyone bussin these in the dance is better than your T...

Been slippin on the bloggin for reasons you will know if you follow me on Twitter.com/marvinsparks. Two songs I can't get out of my head at present time (where I am makes sense) Want an easy forward? Drop a Kartel! Not exactly new but it is on an advert for Dream weekend and is infectious so it's stuck in my head. Swear this man is the closest thing to Sean Paul in terms of commercial appeal, ability to make a song, clarity, delivery. Oh I wonder what would happen if he was maybe more commercial looking if you get what I mean. Either way, I hope Chino was sitting in on sessions with Sean Paul helping him write bars and learning construction. Maybe I should have asked him that. Maybe I'll try link him another time to ask. Check the previous one I did: http://marvinsparks.blogspot.com/2009/07/interview-chino-and-laden-big-ship.html

No doubt the "Gaza mi seh" clan will be out in full force over this tune because he has all the hype and this freestyle sees him going at Alliance (half-steppin in comparison to what he's done before) over a Jay-Z beat with a piece-a-hype. I like Kartel, but personally I think it's wack! If people like it, it shows what bandwagon hype does for you. Not all but majority, raggs (or "rag'oe"). I'm entitled to an opinion, no? Ah my blog diss! Word on the streets is he has got his visa for USA now. Things will be interesting with both him and Mavado being able to travel. We will now be able to see wha' gwarn for the both of them. Hopefully all the hype and dissin Alliance this year will prove helpful.

Although it is a response to Sixteen riddim (see below) Cartel calls names and counteracts subliminals directly "Me a claart Sixteen before me touch 15" (listen Mavado -Sixteen) "Di bwoy say him just make a duppy, well a lie that" (listen to Bounty Killer - Just Mek A Duppy) hence re-ignites. No idea why he goes at Bling Dawg and Marshall again when Serani and Bugle sound like they are taking it to him What's good with Killer? Flippa Mafia is dissing Bounty about his unfinished house, now Kartel blatantly calling him out. Killer declared he is turning a new leaf at a concert (possibly Follow The Arrow) in about February/March - he is past the clashing time and is moving on. Does everyone see him as an easy big fish victim now or something? Will go back on his word and respond? He hasn't been the most active in recent years so boyyy, its going to be interesting Vybz Cartel obviously fears no one right now, with no reason to either. I can not see anyone who po...

Dancehall's resident social-commentator Busy Signal comes (forwards?) with another much-discussed subject, this time laying into bleachers. (disclaimer: video is a fan video NOT by anyone associated with Busy Signal) Vybz Kartel is the self-proclaimed Teacher, known to his opposition as "Di Bleacher" for "obvious" reasons. Busy and Kartel have been going back-and-forth since about 06 when Addi left the Alliance although it has never reached the heights of Mavado and Kartel. Rumours are swirling that this is about Kartel, but I'm not too sure. Yes, you may recognise the riddim is a 90's riddim, known as 'Bam Bam' by Taxi Gang (Sly and Robbie) made popular by "father and son" (they weren't really, that was PR) Chaka Demus and Pliers 'Murder She Wrote'. Real followers will know the real inspiration behind this song from the sample. Post-Sean Paul dancehall fans "Waak (walk) wide" Good song by Busy, but not on levels o...

The video for Vybz Kartel's celebratory song 'Don't Run (Last Man Standing)' dedicated to his victory over Mavado at Sting was released couple hours ago. Song was originally recorded within 5 hours of the clash ending back in the early hours of 27th December'08. Within this time, the song has gained extreme popularity from those who seh Gaza, so much so it is the number 1 song in many Dancehall charts. This is sure to rub even more salt into the wounds of Alliance followers, question is with all the International touring and promoting Mavado is doing for his commerical release 'Mr Brooks... a better tomorrow", does he care?Anyway nice vid, and the song still knocks. Fans of the song from day will notice the lyrics have changed. "Why?" I hear you ask. It has to be fit for radio play (obviously), but more interestingly, due to the law the Broadcasting Commission passed couple months back, radio will not play songs with beep's, hence the rewordin...