STAR of the Month: Beenie Man eyes songs with Nicki Minaj, Cardi B

Having collaborated with some of the biggest names in music, Beenie Man now has his eyes set on working with Nicki Minaj and Cardi B, two female rappers who are currently dominating the US pop scene.

"Nicki Minaj mi send a song go give har. She supposed to finish it up now.

Cardi B - me and har a go have a song. It must happen. No badda worry bout it," Beenie Man said, assuredly.

If these collaborations materialise, these women will join the long list of international acts who Beenie Man has worked with.

Doug E. Fresh, Wyclef Jean, Lil' Kim, Akon and T.I. are just some of these stars.

Girls Dem Sugar, featuring R&B star Mya, is one of the identifiable hits for the STAR of the Month. In 2002, Beenie Man scored a feature from one of the world's prominent pop-culture icons Janet Jackson on the hit single Feel It Boy.

INTERNATIONAL CONNECTIONS

As the King of the Dancehall heads into his 40th year as a formidable player in the Jamaican music industry, he intends to make more international connections.

"Mi nuh finish yet, mi still a work, man. No badda worry bout it. A me name Beenie Man, enuh," he told THE STAR.

"Me and [Janet] did sign to Virgin Records and at the time Jermaine Dupri was the president. And Jermaine is a wicked Beenie Man fan. Like, that man call me fi no reason," the dancehall icon said.

Beenie Man explained that his friendship and creative relationship with Dupri went hand-in-hand, and goes all the way back into the 1990s.

According to the deejay, Dupri called him up saying, "'I want you to come here to Virginia. I'm making a song, and I'm stuck.' So mi gone to Virginia - go-go club. That's how him get inspiration. I don't know how," Beenie Man said, chuckling.

Going along with the wiles of his American producer, Beenie recalled doling out dollar bills from a US$5,000 (J$635,000) stack. Afterwards, the pair went back into the studio, the images of the repeated falling monies resonated, and the hook materialised into Money Ain't A Thang, Dupri's second single off his 1998 album called Life in 1472. The song featured Jay Z and was nominated for Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group at the 41st Grammy Awards in 1999.