‘Yuh know di know’ - Shizzle Sherlock coins new slang

Entertainer Shizzle Sherlock, the self-proclaimed 'Slang King of the Dancehall', says he is doing what needs to be done, to avoid losing his title.Last year, 'coot' was the word at the top of the entertainer's list. For 2020, it's an entire phrase - 'yuh know di know' - which, according to him, is meant to be motivational.

"It is to tell people, especially public figures, that they need to do the right thing. We are in a position of influence. Yuh know di know," he told THE STAR.

Currently based in New York, the Montego Bay-born and raised Shizzle Sherlock said he wants the slang to have momentum in the local dancehall space.

"It's been almost a year now since the release of Top Coot and yuh know di know, basically it is about time to drop a next slang and a song so we can keep relevant," he said. "Right now, America ah get the energy and based on how the climate stay in Jamaica, slangs come and go. We as the entertainers have to promote them at the appropriate time to get a buzz."

Final touches

He is presently in studio putting the final touches on the track inspired by the new slang; the single is being produced by Headache Records.

"Cham advise me on the lyrics and flow but is just my voice on the track. I nah mek nuhbody run wid my slangs," he said.

Shizzle Sherlock said his unorthodox sense of style and love for fashion helped him gain popularity within the dancehall community but it was not always an easy feat.

"If me drop something today, it takes another two years fi di people pick it up. Dem used to call me mad man when I wore ripped up clothes, but it's just that the game moves slower in fashion than in music," he said. "Dem used to seh 'a wah kinda shorts that yuh a wear above yuh knee Shizzle?' Still, I persevere and live to see people become accepting of these same fashion trends."