The Jamaican "dancehall king" failed to match Akon, Shaggy, Wyclef Jean or even Sean Paul

"R-Kelly wants only five artistes. Beenie Man wants all artistes to perform for him. We have all the artistes and they are not performing for you (the audience) but for Beenie Man," said Junior Kazoora, the Promotions Manager of Crown Beverages, one of the emcees, as the Jamaican dancehall king crowned the Chamuka Keys promotion at Kyadondo Rugby Grounds on Saturday.

Beenie Man is one of the biggest influences of new age musicians. Jose Chameleone had twice promised to bring him to Kampala. Gen. Mega Dee also tried striking a deal with him but things did not go well. And when Talent 256's Ally Alabhai finally brought him to Kampala over the weekend, many activities came to a standstill.

Chameleone cancelled his trip to South Africa and chose to wait for Beenie Man with whom he camped at Hotel Africana. Mowzey Radio and Weasel also cancelled their trip abroad. Cindy turned down a performance in Jinja. Well, many dancehall artistes, especially from Jamaica, have performed here but the king of dancehall had never stepped here.

And that is why patrons - mainly young people - turned up in big numbers at the Kyadondo grounds. Bobi Wine carried his son, Kampala, along. Obsessions' Sharon Salmon's young sister was in the audience. Kazoora also hinted at the fact that King Oyo was in the audience, though it was hard to see where he was seated.

Almost every musician just stayed in town - not only to see Beenie Man perform but also to impress him for a collabo. Chameleone had already won one, and it is said that the Jamaican singer also listened to Raba Daba and Radio and Weasel's music, and was impressed. That is why everyone fought to catch his eye.

It started with each camp sampling some of their best young talent. You had AK47 representing Leone Island, Cassanova carrying the Fire Base Crew flag, and from Swangaz Avenue came Vamposs. Goodlyfe was represented by Gift of Kkaddo who is famous for the single Traffic Woman.

Still in the fight to impress, you had all artistes that did Mr. DJ available, but each one chose to do their part individually. So you had to listen to KS Alpha do his part, then Navio, and thereafter Raba Daba. Beenie Man must have been spoilt for choice.

The fight became even more contentious among the big three. Bobi Wine had been lined up to perform first, and he as usual introduced himself as the Ghetto President. Later on came Bebe Cool.

"It has been nice to hear everyone sing, but it is time for serious business now. You are about to see Bebe Cool and Chameleone sing before Beenie Man," Bebe Cool announced.

And as he put up his usual energetic performance, Beenie Man's band began to prepare. This is a band that Beenie Man said he had just assembled a few days ago, after firing the old one two weeks earlier. Only Chameleone performed with the band before Beenie Man stormed the stage at 11.30 p.m.

But the dancehall king surprised everyone when he did music that very few people could understand.

"If you know, you know. If you don't know, you don't know," he said unapologetically.

And many people seemed not to know. In fact many, especially in the VIP area, left before he ended his performance. Beenie Man did not measure up to performances by Elephant Man, Shaggy, Sean Paul, Akon or Wyclef Jean.

"He is not an entertainer. He is only good for the ear and maybe TV," concluded one of the revellers.

It was only when Cindy joined him to do Dude that the singer brought down the house. Yet Cindy had only rehearsed for the song in one day.