Entertainment

THE BEST

THE PUBLIC HAS spoken. And so have the Gods.

For the public, who voted in droves, the top Jamaican lyricist turned out to be the Gargamel Buju Banton.

[The rest of the public top 10 reads: 2. Sizzla, 3. Beres Hammond 4. Beenie Man, 5. Bounty Killer, 6. Assassin, 7. Vybz Kartel 8. Spragga Benz, 9. Tanya Stephens, 10. Capelton.]

For the Gods, who pondered and quarrelled they declared the top Jamaican lyricist to be also Buju Banton.

[The Gods top 10 continue: 2. Spragga Benz, 3. Tanya Stephens, 4. Sizzla and Beres Hammond 6. Papa San, 7. Professor Nuts, 8. Wayne Wonder and Bounty Killer 10. Anthony B.]

We would like to thank all our readers who participated in the public vote.

The categories used to determine the top lyricists included: Depth, wit, quality of rhyme with meaning, turn of phrase, thought provocative-ness, and truth.

While the Gods and the public concur on who is at the top there are interesting differences in the two top 10s. They now explain their top tens.

ZEUS

BITING lyrics, heavy social commentary - that's what these three rastafarian artistes, 1. Anthony B, 2. Buju Banton and 3. Capleton are famous for.

Just listen to Buju Banton's safe-sex anthem "Willy (Don't Be Silly)" or his "Operation Ardent" which criticises police corruption and "Murderer" which slams the gun violence in our society.

Contrary to popular thinking these "chanters" also have a softer side and this comes forcefully out in lyrics like Sizzla's trio of hits - "Thank Yuh Mama", "Black woman and Child" and his lastest "Someone Loves You".

[ZEUS's top 10 continues: 4. Wayne Wonder, 5. Sizzla, 6. Beres Hammond, 7. Tanya Stephens 8. Luciano, 9. Terror Fabulours, 10. Beenie Man.]

THOR

THOR'S top three 1. Spragga Benz, 2. Sizzla and Papa San.

Spragga Benz has this unparalleled ability to take a single topic and explore it fully in a song, retaining the rhyme scheme of choice and relating broader philosophical issues to everyday life.

Sizzla turns a philosophical line like a master potter shapes an urn that will be prized for generations to come.

I have been listening to Papa San on Creation Rock Tower cassettes from 1987 and although I have not followed up his Christian career as avidly I have heard enough to know that the former Animal Man is b-a-d.

(THOR's top 10 continues: 4. Prof Nuts 5. Beres Hammond 6. Tanya Stephens 7. Buju Banton, 8. General Degree, 9. Bounty Killer, Tony Rebel)

DIANA:

Spragga Benz stands high among writers of contemporary dancehall. He tackles an issue with verve and purpose and for those who dare to listen he has within his catalogue many tracks that will force you to think. Choice tracks check: 'Call upon Jah name', 'Sleep with angels' and 'Gonna Fight.

Tanya, Tanya, Tanya. She is not given her due. Often we hear some silly speech about her being a good female lyricist, but 'tan tuddy' the girl good - only Spragga stands above her forget the gender. Choice tracks include: What a day and 2000 years.

Mr. Myrie. The Master Buju Banton delivers the song with truth whatever the subject matter. He has a catalogue that symbolises depth of thought that requires multiple eyes.

(DIANA's top 10 continues: 4. Bounty Killer, 5. Beres Hammond, 6. Papa San, 7. Wayne Wonder, 8. Sizzla, 9. Professor Nuts, 10. Capleton).

RA:

Ra hath declared that Buju Banton, Professor Nuts and Papa San are the top three lyricists. The sun has shone on their brilliance, and their words have captured the minds, thoughts of Jamaicans with near inimitable precision. From Mr. Mention when Buju was still high of voice, to Till Shiloh he of the clan Banton has lived up to his name.

Professor Nuts hath made so many of us laugh with a wit that would make a literature teacher weep. No more need be said of the skills of the nutted one. The same will be said of Papa San. He has a tongue whose dexterity could make a star apple kind.

(RA's top 10 continues: 4. Spragga Benz 5. Tanya Stephens 6. General Degree 7. Beres Hammond 8. Shinehead 9. Bounty Killer 10. Wayne Wonder)

MERCURY

For the years that Mercury has stepping down to earth to dwell amongst mortals, my eyes and ears have found favour with quite a few dancehall artistes.

However Mercury must announce his three tops artistes and they are -

1. Spragga Benz 2. Buju Banton 3. Tanya Stephens.

Spragga Benz and Buju Banton are at the top of the great Mercury's list as their lyrical prowess can be matched by no other. In the case of Tanya just listen to her latest CD. Nuff said.

(MERCURY top 10 continues: 4. Sizzla 5. Beres Hammond 6. Bounty Killer 7. Wayne Wonder 8. Prof Nuts 9. Papa San 10. Vybz Kartel)