Macka Diamond, Beenie Man for ’90s dancehall festival

Dancehall stalwarts Beenie Man and Macka Diamond will headline the fifth staging of the show 'Allergy' set for Emancipation Day.

Promoter of the event, Henry 'Allergy Boss' Harris, said the artistes were hand-picked as they have the right energy/performance skills to revive the 90's dancehall vibe that he is hoping to create at the 'Dancehall Nice Again' edition of the show. Harris told THE STAR that despite the current flow and style in today's music, he believes hosting a classical 90's to early 2000's party is perfect timing.

"As a teenager, I used to follow up the industry but things and times do change and now everyone is in the fast lane. So I'm trying to slow down the pace a bit. Plus, people are here now who are really demanding these type a music - songs that you can play all night that will have you skankin and yuh enjoy yourself. But nowadays the deejays are just playing for a 'money pull up' and the fans can't enjoy that," shared Harris. The event is set for the Allergy Sports Complex in Westmoreland. It will feature a host of other artistes such as fast-rising dancehall act Nhance.

In ensuring that the plans he envisioned will come to fruition, Harris said he had to select the 'best of the best' to represent the 90's.

"I thought to myself that I need an entertainer and real performer and there was no one else who came to my mind but Beenie Man. He will be able to give the patrons a performance, interact with the crowd and give me what I'm looking for. And then I said I need a female, but not anyone who is outlaw, but someone who is a great performer from way back then. And I thought Macka [Diamond] would be a great headliner with Beenie Man," Harris shared.

Macka Diamond expressed her gratitude towards Harris and stated that sharing stage with Beenie Man always gives off a good synergy.

"Doing a show with Beenie Man, I know it's gonna bring out di ladies dem to and a me seh Money O suh mi know wi gonna rock dat stage and di people dem know they're coming to get their money's worth," she told THE STAR.

In addition to headlining the event, the artiste said she will also be setting the pace and standard for the younger artistes featured on the show.

"I wanna pass over [to them] definitely what the promoter is looking for - the performance, the energy, interacting with the people dem ... and the way how dancehall should be on and off stage. Wi ago show dem seh dis is dancehall and show dem what our culture is. Whatever new [dancehall trends] they have, wi need it to be mixed with our culture and mek wi culture highlighted and don't lose it," she said. While admitting that "I appreciate new things and I think fresher ideas are always there to discover", she opined that current rhythms need to be more engaging.

The Dye Dye artiste recently released the singles Still Got It and Good Body which she said have been garnering reactions on YouTube. She is set to release another single titled Unstoppable. She is scheduled to perform at Windsor JerkFest 2024 in Canada this weekend.