Settlement - Why did LA Lewis Perform Better than Merciless?

I confess - it is a guilty secret. I like clashes, dancehall clashes. Clashes are seen as promoting violence. When I say clashes, I am speaking of dancehall reggae clashes - lyrical warfare. This is when DJs square off using lyrics from their songs modified to attack their DJ opponents. This is definitely a sun game worth mentioning. Oftentimes, the DJ has to select the appropriate song in mere seconds. The crowd will let you know if you made the right choice or not.

I went to Sting 2009 - a poor showing - expecting to see 2 clashes in particular - between Bounty Killer and Vybz Kartel; and the laughable LA Lewis versus Goofy. Well, neither clash happened. Kiprich clashed with General B and slaughtered him lyrically. That was it!

The first clash - Bounty Killer versus Vybz Kartel - was serious. It represented a 'father-son' showdown. Bounty Killer had groomed Kartel.

Yet, people were talking about the clash between Jamaica's most famous graffiti artist and wanna-be DJ, LA Lewis and Goofy, a bonafide DJ. LA Lewis's previous hits consisted of a scrawl on a wall....many walls, saying "LA Lewis, Biggest DJ"(or his website http://www.lalewis.net/ - which declares him a reggae superstar). People stood up after Kartel, one of Jamaica's biggest DJs, had left the Sting stage waiting for the LA Lewis-Goofy clash. But it did not happen, as LA Lewis did not show up - even after purchasing a coffin for Goofy....symbolically.

Well, Brite Lite International organised The Settlement - a show in which the LA Lewis - Goofy clash was the headline act. It would be settled once and for all (Thanks Tommy Thompson!). I trekked out to Yallahs, St. Thomas to see this. Again, guilty - but saw that OnStage - that iconic entertainment show, the Jamaica Star, the Observer and I think I spotted TVJ. Yes, everybody likes a good clash. You have to hand it to LA Lewis - he promoted himself so well that people came to St. Thomas to see him and he has not one [good] song.I should hire him for Endz of the Earth!

Back to the show - I missed the first female clash. But was around for the second one between Lisa Hyper and Queen Paula. Paula won! I agree with MC Nuffy that it was a poor clash - the two artistes spoke over each other, swore constantly and were generally lyrically deficient- focused on oral sex - why do I like clashes again? But, if only on points, Paula won! Lisa Hyper kept waiting for her tunes to play - instead of just djing. This is a clash!! Niceties, such as correct tunes and speaking order, are often hard to come by. I have included the link - not the video - as the language is foul! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gtx0OfsyoTw


Then LA Lewis and Goofy! Their performance was preceded by the infamous coffin being brought on stage! Then LA came on and (shock!!) gave a passable initial performance. However, his imitation of all the big DJs' styles was not enough against the lyrical proficiency of Goofy - though I take issue with the tiresome focus on homosexuality and oral sex! Then LA tried theatre with his pointing his wooden gun at Goofy. However Goofy made fun of his bullet-less gun. It was all downhill from there for LA. I believe LA even called himself a 7-star b***yman. I am serious!!!

Tommy Thompson of Brite Lite came onstage to ask who won the clash. He asked the crowd to scream if Goofy deserved to go in the coffin. The crowd was silent! Nevertheless LA kept telling Goofy to get in the coffin. Maybe you have to be delusional to be as confident as LA Lewis! A moment of silence was held for LA's lyrical death and a white rose placed on the coffin! High Drama.





But LA got a step up - he is now a struggling DJ, not a wanna-be DJ. He had headlined a show and had even gotten a few forwards from the crowd. While Goofy won the clash, I really don't know who got more out of it!

The night was not over! Merciless, fresh from jail, was set to take the stage to clash with Gabriel, a DJ who fallen off the music scene. Gabriel's entrance was mad - head-to-toe in black - black shiny down jacket (serious!), black pants, black bandana, black t-shirt, sunglasses. The crowd went wild! We Jamaicans love a good style!

He djed a counteraction to Merciless' Letter to Mama. Maad! But still no Merciless and he was in the venue! The crowd started calling for him. The people around me started quarrelling whether Merciless was trying to strategise and make Gabriel talk out all his lyrics; or he was just plain coward! When Merciless took the stage, he sounded forceful with his big booming voice, but looked horrible. Who wears a plaid shirt, with aviator glasses, and one of those winter hats with the ear flaps?

Then he kept asking for a real artist to clash with. But why not respond to the disses left hanging by Gabriel? I had to pinch myself - was I really seeing Merciless fall to Gabriel? Then the crowd started to boo Merciless loudly. He had not gotten one forward since being on stage. The crowd was backing the young Gabriel. Unreal! Then Merciless told a woman in front of the stage that he would kick her in her p**sy. Unreal!! Is this rehabilitation? The women in front started tracing Merciless and the crowd just kept booing him. Gabriel said it well, when he declared Merciless dead, picked up the shiny down jacket, and left the stage to the walking dead, Merciless.




Merciless continued djing, but the crowd started to leave as if no one was on stage. So, then I ask, how did LA Lewis give a better performance than Merciless? He got forwards, and left the stage defeated, but not slaughtered. Merciless' blood was on the floor - the crowd traced him! Let me know the answer to this question.

Gabriel left the venue with women calling his name. LA Lewis left to a few congratulations. I did not see the others leave. But you have to love a clash - you never know what could happen - it is definitely preparation meeting the opportunity. The experienced Queen Paula defeated the 'young, hot and hype' Lisa Hyper. Goofy defeated LA Lewis as expected, but LA showed heart! Gabriel, the re-newcomer - the Alliance baby boy, defeated the fearsome warlord, Merciless. Goofy, Gabriel and even LA Lewis have got an unbelievable career boost. Clash - a sun game in the Jamaican dancehall lexicon.