From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Singjaying
is a Jamaican style of
reggae
vocals combining
toasting
and
singing
in an elastic format that encourages rhythmically compelling and texturally impressive vocal embellishments. The performer is called a
singjay
, a combination of
singer
and
deejay
.
[1]
The fusion of singing and deejaying occurred early in reggae music. Artists like
Big Youth
combined singing and toasting on tracks like "Sky Juice", "Every Negro Is A Star" and "Hit The Road Jack". However, the term "singjay" more accurately describes the transition from singer to deejay, rather than deejay to singer. This phenomenon happened years after the deejay style had gone
mainstream
. Among the earliest performers of what would later be known as singjaying is
Michael Rose
, who used to integrate highly rhythmic but completely meaningless deejay "
scatting
" in his
roots
songs. As the rhythm of reggae changed in the late 1970s and became what is now known as "rockers" style reggae, the themes changed as well. The classic roots themes were slowly being replaced by songs inspired by life at the
dancehall
. A change in vocal delivery accompanied this thematic change. Artists such as Echo Minott and
Little John
represent this "rockers" singjay style. Half Pint, known mostly for his "lovers" style, incorporated a singjay vocal style into his classic hit "Greetings". Around the mid-80s, the singjay style became the dominant and mainstream form of expression in Jamaican music. Dennis Alcapone, Prince Hammer, Prince Jazzbo, Dillinger, Clint Eastwood, Trinity, U Brown, U-Roy, I-Roy,
Eek-A-Mouse
,
Anthony Red Rose
, King Kong,
Pinchers
,
Wayne Smith
, Courtney Melody, Conroy Smith, Lilly Melody, Eccleton Jarrett,
Nitty Gritty
and
Yami Bolo
are all original singjays. Today's singjays include artists such asShalkal Carty,
Mr. Vegas
,and
Mavado
, among others.
[2]
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