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Another year has come and gone. There have been several hits and several more misses. Splash this week takes a look at the people who hit. (Look out for our comprehensive 2008 Year in Review next week.)
1. Mavado
His body of work, the impact of his songs and his consistency throughout the year combined to make Mavado 2008's hottest dancehall commodity. Add to that his feuding with arch-rival Vybz Kartel and the ensuing hype - the argument is yet to be settled - and we can see why the Gully Gadd is "so special, so special, so special".
2. Vybz Kartel
In 2008, Kartel proved to be quite the astute businessman. He launched Vybz rum, the Daggerin' line of condoms, continued to excel musically and, lest we forget, opened the infamous Rompin' Shop with saucy deejay, Spice. Kartel is viewed by his peers as "the intelligent side of the business" and his songwriting skills must be respected, however, he needs to temper it and resist the urge to "go low". Derogatory references to mothers are off-limits.
3. Lady Saw
What made 2008 so special for Marion Hall is that for the first time since making it big, she went back to basics. Having opted not to re-sign a contract with record label VP, she instead chose independence and aligned herself with producers with whom she has a good musical rapport. And it has worked for the Mumma. It was a year when she was tested by other females intent on dragging her through the mud, but this diva was having none of that kind of war. With head held high, and Louis Vuitton luggage in hand, she wheeled past the wannabe stars and money goddesses.
4. Elephant Man
This deejay has been on a high all year: hit tunes Nuh Linga and Gully Creeper - the accompanying dances were performed at the Beijing Games by no less than triple gold medallist, Usain Bolt - a Grammy-nominated album, Let's Get Physical and we should add the juicy fruit yellow Range Rover to boot. Add to that the fact that he is everywhere on all the major overseas shows. He is now preparing for the Grammys in February and all we can say is that 2008 for Ele was mucho mucho caliente!
5. Busy Signal
His ambitious Jail, which debuted in 2007 but received heavy rotation in 2008, is but one thing Busy Signal had going for him this year. There were too the sexually-tinged and infectious Tic Toc and Pon Di Edge followed by the release of his sophomore album Loaded. What's more, the deejay copped the much-hyped Red Label Wine commercial in early December.
6. Beenie Man
When it comes to his personal life Beenie Man is about as lucky as a black cat walking under a ladder, professionally however, he's the consummate entertainer. Tax woes and girl trouble aside, the 'doctor' has had hits like Gimmie Likkle and Wine Gyal. don't forget stellar performances at Sumfest and Sting! It's clear the 'good doc' has long known the secret remedy.
7. LUST
This quartet has been around for years; remember their tune, Sweetness of Your Love? Well, in 2008 Lukie D, Trilla U, Singing Melody and Tony Curtis took Air Supply's Just As I Am to even higher heights in Jamaica. The track even made it on to reggae and Caribbean music charts worldwide, climbing to the top slot in some instances. The foursome whose harmonies and showmanship have become a hallmark have also performed to critical acclaim during 2008.
8. Terry Linen
After a hiatus from the music business - he was living in Japan, but not doing music - Terry Linen made his move in 2008 . and what a comeback it has proven to be! Three big tunes, Mood For Love, Better Man, No Time To Linger, all of which found their way on local and international charts, gave this singer's career the boost it needed and helped to put singers in the limelight for 2008.
9. Etana
She has become the darling of the Reggae scene. In demand since the release of her debut single, Wrong Address, back in 2006, last year The Strong One, Etana became an even stronger force, thanks to her VP Records-backed album and a string of gigs on all the majors shows both in Jamaica as well as in North America, Europe and Africa. This is
one artiste who cannot complain about a recession.
10. Vegas
Long before talks of his retirement lit up headlines in '08, Mr Vegas enjoyed several chart-toppers. whether it was inspiring the dancehall-savvy with Daggerin or Tek Weh Yuhself, we watched, listened and busted a couple moves to his soundtracks.
Special Mention
Anthony B
Tease Her was definitely one of the biggest songs for 2008 and it was Anthony B's first number one song in Jamaica. The deejay had the clubs, the dancehall, the party scene thumping and the girls going wild as he made good on his promise to "tease her and please her, don't bruise and beat her".
D'Angel
No doubt about it, D'Angel emerged Stronger in 2008. She shook off her woes, focused on her career and had a busy season. She even became the face of G-Force.
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