Journalist Milton Wray, has distinguished himself with his literary attempt to answer Beenie Man-s self-searching question contains in his 1997, smash hit, Who Am I, from his breakthrough album, Many Moods of Moses.
After several years of researching the artiste-s lifestyle, background and personality, the end product is dancehall-s first biography written by Wray titled Who Am I?, the Untold Story of Beenie Man, which was officially launched at The Devonshire, Devon House, on Tuesday evening.
The significance of the author-s effort was not lost on Beenie Man, who at Tuesday-s launch, declared to rousing applause, "It-s good to have a book written about you while you are still alive."
That comment by Beenie Man, effectively put in context the distinction that Milton Wray, whose alter-ego (himself had aspirations to become a career recording artiste), perhaps led him to take on this praiseworthy project. A Jamaican writer, along with Jamaican publishing company, Great House and invaluable contribution from Hopeton "Stumpy" Walker (Beenie Man-s photographer), has given to dancehall its first biography while the artiste, born Moses Davies, around whom it was written is still alive. And the book is enlightening, exciting and entertaining as Beenie Man himself.
"No biases, just the facts, that-s how Milton (Wray) very cunningly describes his book, Who Am I, the Untold Story of Beenie Man," guest speaker Dr Carolyn Cooper pointed out at the book launch.
"...But anytime you try to tell someone else-s life story, you going to have some biases," Dr Cooper said before adding, "If like Milton, you believe it-s important to tell Beenie Man-s story in book form, you already showing your bias. Because there are plenty people in Jamaica who will sey, book pon Beenie Man, nuh pure foolishness that..."
"What Milton has shown us in this magnificent book, is his bias. His conviction, that telling Beenie Man-s story is a urgent necessity. For it-s an inspiring account of how we as Jamaicans can conquer the world with talent, ambition, determination, and whole heap of people helping us along the way."
And actor/broadcaster, Joan Andrea Hutchinson, who read excerpts from the book, spoke of how engaging the book is. "It-s very engaging. It crosses between English and Jamaican patois very fluidly. And it-s a must read."
Publisher, Michael Grant, mentioned that the book on Beenie Man which will become a marker for those who want to study dancehall, now and in the future, was produced entirely by Jamaicans. "The author of Who Am I, has created a touchstone, something that people are going to refer to for a long time. It not only presented the story of Beenie Man... but it also has detailed much of the core of dancehall-s history as well," Grant said.
Speaking in a tone similar to that of Dr Carolyn Cooper, the distinguished author, Milton Wray, cited the class prejudice that is meted out to dancehall music and its culture. "I do know that there are those who would rather for us to wait until Beenie Man is no longer around for this time happen. Then there are those who turn up their noses at the idea of a book on the life of Beenie Man. It all stems from a very very deep classism that has divided us....
"Ladies and gentlemen, it is a social discrimination and a prejudice that runs rampant throughout the Jamaican society....This classism I am talking about, has long rejected dancehall, for the simply fact that it came from the ghetto and because it is the music of the quote unquote common man" Wray said.
Turning to the role he envisages the book will undertake, he added, "Ladies and gentlemen, if nothing else, I would like this book and the prejudicial issues surrounding the publishing of this book, to start the debate on our discriminatory social classism..."
With that said, the author then went on to read snippets from his work, much to the delight of audience.
"A mi life the man a talk bout, mi whole life from mi a baby until now mi a big man. It-s kinda great to know that people can know exactly who you are, who you was and who you are now. It-s a great life, I really appreci-love this. Because the thing is, I-m not dead, and a book is written about me " a smiling Beenie Man told Splash ahead of his performance.
Source: Jamaica Observer
