NEW YORK (AP):
With guest artists such as Janet Jackson and Lil' Kim, dancehall superstar Beenie Man admits that his latest album, Tropical Storm, is an unabashed attempt to appeal to mainstream audiences.
The album is designed to attract people who do not usually listen to dancehall music, says the Jamaican singer, who has won a Grammy Award for his intoxicating, sensual island music.
"Dancehall has been around for 50 years now, but dancehall has never been appreciated by the American public unless it's by luck," he said.
Still, Beenie Man, whose given name is Anthony Moses Davis, has had plenty of luck in his career. The 29-year-old Kingston native, who started performing on-stage at 5, recorded his first record five years later.
He is now one of the most popular dancehall artists in the world, with hits such as Girls Dem Sugar, No Mama No Cry and Who Am I.
Beenie Man is hoping to reach a wider audience in the United States with Tropical Storm, which climbed to No. 7 on the Billboard chart for R&B and hip-hop albums.
However, he is not giving up his roots.
"I would never abandon my dancehall music. I live in Jamaica," he said. "I make music every two weeks. My album has nothing to do with my dancehall career, my international career. ... It's two different careers; it's only the same person."
1. Do you regret having started your career at such a young age?
It wasn't easy, but you had to do it... you don't get to enjoy yourself, you have to keep on doing music, music and more music. But music is not a job for me. If I take a break, I'm going to lose most of my joy, and I don't want to do that.
2. Do you go out into the clubs?
I keep it real. ... I'm not Michael Jackson, locked up and away from the people. It's kind of difficult, but you have to deal with it.
3. What is behind the rivalry between you and fellow dancehall star Bounty Killer?
There's no rivalry between me and anybody. They have a rivalry with me. ... That's the way it goes, you have to live with it. It hypes up the next man's career ... (even) when people take it to the next level where they want to ruin your career over it, you have to leave it alone.
4. A lot of dancehall music has been criticised as being anti-gay, including your own songs. How do you respond to that?
I don't support homosexuality because I'm not homosexual, but I don't hate gay people because the more guys a gay man gets is more girls for me. ... Jamaicans come right out and say, 'We don't deal with homosexuals'. That's why the music is homophobic? I don't understand.
5. You have five children, but no wife or girlfriend. Why haven't you settled down?
I got my heart broken, and I don't intend to get it broken again, so I'm married to music at this time, music is my life and my wife. There's one woman who used to have my head, but that's used to. Long time ago. ... I can't be giving you my heart.
