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In the Caribbean most of
us has a nickname which has nothing to do with our legal names, example “Shorty
Man”, because you are short or “Little” because you are small or tiny
Here is a list of some of
our favourite Dancehall/Reggae artistes with their legal names and how they got
their stage names.
Beenie Man
He is referred to as the “King of Dancehall", Aka “Ras Moses”, “The Doctor”, “The Girls Dem Sugar”. However, this Kingstonian was born Anthony Moses Davis and got the name “Beenie Man” because he was always in the company of adults, making him the “smallest little man” in the group.
Lady Saw
Born Marion Hall, she was the first female deejay to win a Grammy Award.
Before her famous name she was called “Female Saw”. Many believe she got her
name because of raunchy cutting lyrics, but she was named after ’80s dancehall
greats, Tenor Saw
Mavado
Born David Constantine Brooks in the Kingston, he started out singing in
church. When his dancehall career took off, he named himself "Mavado"
after the Swiss watch company Movado, with his manager Julian Jones-Griffith
altered the spelling.
Vybz Kartel
Known best for his songs "Clarks", "Romping
Shop", "Poor People Land", Vybz Kartel was actually born Adidja Azim Palmer in Portmore.
In his earlier career he
was known as "Adi Banton", paying homage to mentor Buju Banton.
Palmer was later part of the trio called “Vybez Kartel", after the group
split he altered the spelling to Vybz Kartel
Etana
Shauna McKenzie
is known commonly as Etana, meaning “the strong one”.
Aidonia
Born Sheldon Aitana Ricardo Lawrence, he took his stage name from the
first two letters in his middle name 'Aitana', and 'Donia', a name which he
earned while playing football.
Alborosie
Born and raised in
Marsala, Sicily, Italy, but now resides in Kingston, Jamaica. The
"Rastafari Anthem", singer was first called ‘Borosie” upon his
arrival in Jamaica. He didn’t like the negative meaning of the ‘Borosie” so he
added “Al” – Al-borosie, from his given name Alberto D'Ascola.
Gyptian
The “She's My Lady”
singer was born Windel Beneto Edwards,
for fetch from his stage name “Gyptian”. There are a few surprise to “Gyptian”
background, his mother was Seventh-day Adventist and father a Rastafarian. ,
“Gyptian” like fellow DJ
"Mavado started out signing in church. The singer earned his nickname from
his habit of tying a shirt around his head and twisting his chin hair like an
Egyptian pharaoh
Popcaan
One would think he got
his name because he loved eating popcorn, but in reality Andre Jay Sutherland took his stage name “Popcaan” from a friend
who died.
Chronixx
His stage name “Chronixx”
was the name his friends, replacing the name ‘Little Chronicle’ that was given
as the ‘junior’ to his father, the artist Chronicle. His actual name is Jamar Rolando McNaughton
Buju Banton
Born Mark Anthony Myrie, “Buju Banton” has some really interested facts about
the origins of his stage name. Buju is a nickname given to chubby children that
means breadfruit in the language of the Maroons in Jamaican and was given to
him by his mother as a child. Banton is a Jamaican word that refers to someone
who is a respected storyteller, and it was adopted by Myrie in tribute to the
deejay Burro Banton, whom Buju admired as a child.
Jah Cure
Not a traditional name
but Siccature Alcock, aka Jah Cure,
or Iyah Cure ,was given the name
Jah Cure by Capleton whom he met while
growing up in Kingston.[
Sizzla
Born in Kingston to
devout Rastafarian movement parent, Sizzla Kalonji or simple Sizzle was born Miguel Orlando Collins. Here is how Sizzle explained his name
‘kalonji,’ mean ‘Victorious,’ and ‘sizzla’ mean ‘burning essence,’ just in
sound. So it’s just vibes and the word. When enough kind of people hears the
word, the word giveth strength."
I-Octane
This Clarendonian born Byiome Muir got his name due to his
high energy levels and long lasting ability.
Bounty Killer
This DJ was born Rodney Basil Price, in Kingston,
Jamaica. At the age of 14, he was shot
by a stray bullet during a gunfight between rival political factions, and while
convalescing in the the hospital decided on the name Bounty Killer. 
Shabba Ranks
One of the most popular
dancehall artists of his generation Shabba Ranks was born Rexton Rawlston Fernando Gordon. Shabba stated that his came from
Africa. In an interview he said “If you check the map of Africa there’s a
little town with the term Shabba but it spelled with one “B”. One of my
close friend’s gave me the name Shabba because there used to be a wanted man
named Shabba in Jamaica and because I used to love trouble, they gave me the
name too”
Ninjaman
Many might not know this
but before he was called Ninjaman he called ‘Double Ugly" and “Uglyman". He also went by his born again Christian name
"Brother Desmond". He changed his name back to Ninjaman aka The Don
Gorgon and Gun Pon Teeth. His actual name is Desmond John Ballentine........................................................................................................................................................
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