Kartel, Beenie must clash for ‘King’ title, says Foota Hype

Foota Hype has called on Vybz Kartel to "prove himself" in a lyrical showdown with Beenie Man, in order to "earn the Dancehall King" title.

"If yuh want di 'kingship' Kartel, you have to earn it. Me nuh have a problem with Kartel, Beenie or Yellowman being the King [of Dancehall] but yuh have to earn it. If Kartel want to overthrow Beenie Man as di self-proclaimed king, yuh affi outdo Beenie Man. King a di man weh win di most war, tek ova land and rule," Foota Hype told THE STAR.

"Beenie Man is still a bigger artiste dan Vybz Kartel out in di world. Kartel [once] said he's 'Dancehall Pharaoh' suh all of a sudden yuh change back to king? Well, yuh can duh dat, but now yuh affi guh get Grammy, perform all a these regions weh Beenie a perform over di years, dominate pon major stages weh Beenie and Yellowman perform fi years. Kartel is yet to have done that," he added.

Foota Hype suggested that if Vybz Kartel's Gaza Nation fans were honest, they would acknowledge that artistes such as Elephant Man and Busy Signal have done more than him internationally. He added that if it was his decision, Yellowman would continue to reign as the Dancehall King.

The ongoing debate for dancehall kingship was reignited once Vybz Kartel was released from prison, but an alleged diss track from Beenie Man, titled Humpty Dumpty, has added fuel to the fire. Foota Hype encouraged Vybz Kartel to capitalise on the moment by responding and "start di war", as it would give a needed boost to dancehall.

"Kartel is a man weh full a mind game and craft, and Beenie Man is the same thing. Suh Kartel, yuh cannot poke di bear wid dis king argument because he's not going to have it. Suh yuh cannot poke di bear and den a bawl and a put up white flag bout yuh a deal wid money and family - everybody a deal wid dat," he stated. "Kartel shudda respond long time because him shudda sharper dan a razor blade because him have 13 years fi siddung and build song."

When asked if he thinks clashes sometimes break an artiste's career, Foota Hype said it had the opposite effect.

"Clashing is an amazing thing that gets you more fans and more interest, especially in a day and age now where it's based on views. When a lyrical beef is in effect, you are the centre of attraction. Is up to you weh yuh do wid dat moment of fame afta dat," he opined. Foota Hype further hailed veteran superstars Shabba Ranks, Super Cat and Cobra as some of the "most dominant artistes" whose careers skyrocketed and flourished after clashes.

Foota Hype said if Vybz Kartel should agree to engage Beenie Man in a lyrical battle, it will also teach a dancehall lesson.

"It woulda show di Gen Z [artistes] dem seh dem a real coward because a dem mek di business stagnant fi di whole time Kartel deh a jail. Dem a find songs but di business has not peaked to the level dat it was before, because the last mayhem was Kartel and Mavado's [2008 clash] at Sting. Since then, to how dem yah artistes yah coward, dem nuh surpass nutten," Foota Hype opined.

In that breath, he called on Sting's promoters to reconsider removing the clash segment from the show's upcoming staging.

"Mi wudda neva tek out clash out of Sting - that's the heartbeat of Sting. Suh Laing just seh dat, because di artiste dem nuh waah duh di show - dem fraid, dem nuh waah clash. But if Beenie Man and Kartel decide fi duh di clash, yuh can keep Sting all tomorrow morning," he shared with a laugh.