In an interview with the observer’s Tyrone Reid, the Grammy-nominated star peels back the layers of his complex personality to discuss coping with painful rumours and negativity, his new album, his top-secret Grammy outfit and why he'll never stop bringing the heat in the dancehall. IT'S hellish hot on a Monday afternoon in Kingston, but not scorching enough to stop a good game of dominoes, some dancing and Hennessy drinking. The party atmosphere is intoxicating the minute you step onto the grounds of the Q45 Studios and Management offices. An up-and-coming dancer is wildin' out to the dancehall music blaring from the speakers, moving up and down the fractured concrete. With each poetic motion, onlookers' eyes seem to dance along with his sweaty moves, gasping to his body's every chord. But suddenly all eyes are no longer on the youngster. Seizing the spotlight is another skilful mover. When he moves to the centre of the floor, the small group of spectators burst into cheers. With his red, orange and yellow cornrows, body-hugging black jeans and merino, swinging silver chain and iced-out wrists, it's easy to recognise the attention-grabber as dancehall disciple Elephant Man. In between sips of the red liquid from the clear cup in his left hand, he dances skilfully, moving in clean lines. His face is tight and firm, like a boxer ready to beat the life out of someone. Elephant Man is all about the party heat, and heat certainly follows Elephant Man. In the company of such good friends as dancer-turned-deejay Ding Dong and reggae crooner Gyptian, The Energy God is in high spirits, letting the good times roll, as the loud music, crates of Red Bull and bottles of expensive liquor add to the merriment. Recession? What recession? It's hardly surprising that the deejay, born O'Neil Bryan, is in celebration mode these days. After all, he has a lot to celebrate. It's Grammy time already, and he's a first-time nominee this year in the Best Reggae Album category for his opus Let's Get Physical. He has a new compilation album, The Very Best of Elephant Man, set to hit stores later this month, and dozens of side projects in the pipeline. They say it's important to savour your success and the blessings that have come your way, even as you plot your way forward. No one understands this more than Elephant Man, who just keeps thriving no matter the adverse circumstances hurled his way. Success-wise, things are very good for Elephant Man. I always enjoy writing songs that make my fans have a good time when they hear them. I love helpin' to keep the good vibes going in the dancehall and make the dancehall lovers happy.For me, it's about the energy and the fun," the deejay says, now leaning comfortably against a wall, as he takes a break from the party animals.When the deejay speaks, it's with a slight lisp, and if it weren't for the few lines on his face, he would look much younger than his 31 years. But his self-esteem and confidence are incredibly high, especially when discussing his first Grammy nomination."To get a nomination really feels good, man. That kind of recognition says a lot about you as an artiste. Right now, mi feel like mi win already. But I'm just grateful and continue to give God thanks for everything," he shares, adding that he was in the New Kingston hot spot Cuddy'z, hanging with family and friends, when he received a telephone call with the good news last December.The nod was unexpected, he admits, but he gives props to music mogul Sean 'Diddy' Combs, on whose Bad Boy label Let's Get Physical was released in April 2008."[Working with Diddy] was okay, it was just the one album we had planned to do, and now it's nominated for a Grammy so we feel overwhelmed to know that something major came out of it. I think it's also the only album from the Bad Boy camp nominated for a Grammy this year," says Elephant Man.And though their working partnership has come to an end for now, Elé has nothing but high praises for his former boss."Well, Diddy is a very easy-going person. Him ever on the move, always on the run. He's a workaholic, and that's what I like most about him; his work ethic and attitude is very strong," the deejay emphasises, while pointing out that he's pleased with the success of the album. "It's a very good feeling to log onto the net and see over 2 million people listening to the songs, and see the fans showing love. The album might not have sold millions and billions but I love represent for the dancehall and please the fans."Things We Lost In The FireThe old and the new, the personal and the public, the smiles and the scowls; Elephant Man has navigated these splits in his personality for years. He has battled vicious rumours about the state of his health, harsh criticisms about his personal style and career-threatening vitriol in other forms thrown his way over the years. And despite all the negativity, the deejay is still standing strong and has even found time to get to know himself a little better. He refuses to let the 'haters' win."The jealousy thing is always there. You can't stop it but we just plan to work around it. It deh 'bout from creation so you just have to know how to deal with it. You can't let it bother you and go to your head. We just ignore it because we've been ignoring it," he asserts, his tone a mixture of seriousness and cynicism.The December 2008 murder of his close friend, dancer David 'Ice' Smith, was a hard pill for Elephant Man to swallow. It's still difficult for him to talk about the jarring incident."I was very shocked like everybody else when I heard about it. The news was just so sudden that it took everybody by surprise," he reveals. "But right now we just want the people them know seh [Ice] was a good man. We have to look out for his family and let them feel good. Ice was talented dancer; the great Gully Creeper."Still on the dark subject of murder, Elephant Man plays down the rumours that he has been the target of death threats in the wake of Ice's killing. He quickly makes it clear that the whispers had their birth in street gossip. They are rumours and nothing more, he stresses."No sah, we nuh really do anybody anything to get threats like that. That kind of bad vibes and enemy thing is not our thing. You don't let bad-minded people draw you out. It's God we put in front of everything. We know how to deal with people and keep our composure," he says. "I use my time to stay focused on my goals, write good songs and hold a vibe at the studio. We read the Bible regularly and just stay out of trouble."An Uncommon ManNavigating the transition from ghetto star to dancehall superstar, and cobbling all the pieces together into an adult whole, is exactly what Elephant Man's reality is about right now. His upcoming album, The Very Best Of Elephant Man, to be released via VP Records, will offer fans a mix of old school favourites and more contemporary hits. He wants to release his final contracted studio album for the record label this summer but he's pacing himself with the studio work as he juggles numerous other important projects, like selecting the perfect outfit to wear to tonight's Grammy Awards in Los Angeles."The outfit pick out already," he proclaims with a sheepish grin, refusing to divulge details. "My designer will put the final touches to it."Can you at least disclose the colour?"Red. The colour is red."So, if you win [tonight]."Well, if mi win you done know already, it will be lots of partying locally and internationally."And if you don't win."Still ah party same way (Laughs). The Grammy nomination alone is a pleasure. Mi feel good and mi can't stop feel good." Hearing Elephant Man's bluster is a stark reminder of the deejay's frank and fun-loving nature. Dancehall dime diva, Ce'Cile, a long-time fan of The Energy God, describes him as a talented performer, who deserves more props from the music world. "[Elé] has always been a great entertainer. He always brings it," she tells Sunday Entertainment by telephone. "I think he's still a bit underrated though because I feel he has what it takes to become as big as some of those urban rappers in the US. He deserves all the success he gets." Popular sound system selector, DJ Razz, agrees, emphasising that Elephant Man's trait of sincere and steadfast fixity of purpose is praiseworthy. "From I know him till now, he's been a very hard-working artiste. Him always ah promote him ting. I would be glad if he wins the Grammy still," the ace selector offers. Living smarter, abiding by the law and being more ruthless than the competition at times, is foremost on the deejay's mind, though he admittedly has pent-up aggression that occasionally needs to be released. "We just gonna keep doing the music and keep the people dancing because not everybody is into the gang-banging thing. We have to provide something for the kids to play at their class-party and for the older folks to enjoy. We have to keep the dance alive for the survival of the music," observes Elé, who will make a cameo appearance on the next album from Atlanta crunk-master, Lil Jon. Back on the grounds of the Q45 Studios, Elephant Man is again the focus of everyone's attention, as the party energy rages across the yard, his latest hits now getting rotation over the speakers. As evening sneaks upon the city, two Japanese fans approach him for a photo-op and he graciously obliges, seeming content to simply be Elephant Man, The Energy God, both, neither, whoever he chooses to be. |
