Ninja Tek New Jersey Reggaefet 2007
The New Jersey Reggaefest went in the books on September 16, 2007 as one of the more interesting shows this year. G-City deserves a big pat on the back for promoting this one. The stars of the night did shine (well, one in particular) and of course there was some hype, just a hint of drama that was stirred up. But I’m sure it was all in good clean fun, the kind of jeering that has been as much a part of a good dancehall show as attention-grabbing wardrobe and crowd-approved lyricism. Okay, maybe it was a bit more serious than I’m letting on, but I don’t want you to skip to that part impatiently. Work with me here!
The show began at 9pm that night much to the delight of the massive throng of concert goers itching for scratch, a good sensation of ear-knocking, body-rocking dancehall vibes. Munga set things off, marking the first time Nowadayzdancehall.com would catch “The Honorable” live. Two weeks ago he did appear at Irie Jamboree 2007 but his time slot was at 6pm, too early for our taste. Toddlers are running around looking for ice cream or a champagne cola these times. Maybe next year they’ll schedule him a primetime slot. Take it as a suggestion…
But tonight’s performance was scheduled for the big man portion of the show. Would Munga arrive to claim the opportunity to sport his talent?
Munga appeared in his trademark attire of a hoodie, sunglasses and a New York Yankee fitted team cap. He was dressed like an American on a brisk autumn day despite the fact it was closer to eighty degrees most of the day. I guess he wanted to feel over-warm like he was back a yard.
“Yess Yesss” he bellowed as the Jersey crowd began to show definite signs of life. He slid to the stage and opened it up with “Bad From Mi Born”, and the audience erupted with gun finger forwards and lighter salutes. Munga posed for a second so the Jersey crowd could get a good look at him before his brain start “Flipping Rhymes”. His twenty-minute set really was a merciless lyrical onslaught of mayhem.
Munga then morphed into his “Gangsta Ras” persona which had the place throbbing with aggression. When Munga drew for“Earthquake” on the Raging Bull riddim the place almost collapsed. Munga obliged the audience with multiple forwards before moving on to “Wine Pon It”, which happens to be one of my favorite tunes of the year. New Jersey's reaction made it clear that I wasn’t the only one who appreciates this tune. The girls had officially gone wild too--- gyrating,thrusting,rolling and doing any number of things a females anatomy could temptingly do without being too extra. Of course the rude bwoys in were hitching behind the ladies, getting acquainted with that feminine phat, you pickin’ up what I’m puttin’ down?
Munga’s performance was brilliant and dazzling. It then came time for the original gold-toothed mercenary, the ruthless gun-pon-your-forehead gangsta faddah, the Don Gorgon.
Boogie G introduced Ninja Man who strolled on stage with deliberate ease and slowness. The Gorgon was dressed crisply in a black and brown three-piece suite with a black fedora unevenly perched with confidence on his head . Like a viper sensing its prey the Ninja seemd to slither to the front of the stage. He then paussed, and like a fang-bearing serpent he surveyed the audience as if to select an unsuspecting body to strike at. Before he could sink in and pump out his paralyzing lyrical venom, the crowd saluted him with cheers and applause, a thunderous tribute fit for any national hero. It was soon after this that Ninja then started the verbal crippling of all enemies, traitors and spies.
The Gorgon ambushed the audience who shoulda known that he came to “Murder Dem” in a competition or just because he can. He revealed that he only came to the New Jersey Reggaefest because Bounty and Beenie were on the billing. He went on to say anywhere the “Border Clash” is, “mi deh-deh”. The place almost popped&Omega Ninja had to ask for quiet before he could belt out “Before You Die”. The fuse was now lit and the bomb ready to burst.
Ninja just kept throwing more explosive content into the mix. He insisted that 95% of the deejays in the business a “bow-cat” and “25% a dem a go inna the wrong hole.”
Pardon my math, but isn’t that 120% a nastyman inna de business?!
Ninja then declared he would rather die than become a “p@$$y su**a”. The audience surged like a herd of bulls and almost broke down the barricade directly in front of the stage. Ninja, then warned all pretenders that he is the real Ninja Man, and it’s been 15 years since he last murdered a deejay in America, so send out all of them. “Mi ready to murder dem, Beenie and Bounty, come test mi!” he pleaded.
The Gorgon didn’t stop there&Omega “I am going to step pon dem corn! When I’m done, dem a go favor Miss Ivy last-born”. The audience licked a collective forward for that argument. Ninja boasted to Bounty Killa, “No gal cyaan leave mi. Your woman left you for a better man”.
The audience roared in laughter. Then Ninja asked&Omega “Bounty, why yuh never defend Kartel, why you run from Spragga?”. Ninja finished his verbal backslapping of Killer by declaring that D’Angel left because he can’t “pay the p***y” bill.”
“ I’m gone, but if dem bad, just call mi name, and mi a go murder dem,” announced Ninja before smoothly stepping off-stage.
Now, yuh know seh Ninja a do de war ting for years now. Sure, the likes of the notorious Super Cat could serve up a faceful of disgrace for the Don Gorgon. But Bounty? Beenie? I don’t know…he peeled back Bounty’s wig with this barrage of insults!
Tony Matterhorn was the first to appear on stage after the Gorgon. I’m not sure what caused it, but Matterhorn took to the stage for a lackluster appearance. We all know he is a selector first and a deejay second but he could have put some life into his performance. When I say it was an awful display-- believe mi, it was awful!
Matterhorn’s voice is powerful and his lyrics can stir the dead but tonight he could not muster the energy necessary to move the Jersey Reggaefest crowd. His performance started with him seemingly reciting rather than performing “Man from Mars”. “Sit Down Pon It” and “Hot Wuk” came out like drivel. Matterhorn did manage to encourage some excitement when he dropped the opening verse to “Goodas Fi Dem”, but it was short-lived. Even the usually combustible tune “Dutty Wine” was met with half-hearted approval...
Well, I did spot Bounty backstage but did not approach&Omega he seemed cross. But who could blame him? The Gorgon just lumped him up with a lyrical tirade. I witnessed Steelie handing Bounty a microphone… the hairs on my neck turned to bristles and a wave of hot electricity spread through my body. Would he respond to Ninja? Was he gonna set it on him like a killer or just take up some time as a filler?
Bounty did get busy with a customary set of bangers which included “Eagle & The Hawk”, “Can’t Believe Mi Eyes”, “Worthless Bwoy” and “Not Another Word”. Throughout his 20 minute set the Warlord seemed distant. To me, it appeared like he really didn’t want to be there. You know how a DVD might skip and the words come moments after the lips move? That is how detached he seemed to be from his own performance.
His only response to Ninja’s comment was that “Ninja is washed up”. And with that, the not too war-like Warlord exited the stage and speedily left the venue altogether. I guess Ninja really snuck up on dat azz and did gi him some rahtid lick wid dem deh argument!
Beenie dropped “A Nuh Mi”, “Dick”, “Toy Friend” and “Dude”. The audience’s enthusiasm waned because Beenie was not responding to any of Ninja’s comments. Finally before leaving the stage Beeinie declared that “Ninja is a big man and I have nothing but love and respect for him, but right now it is all about me!”
Puhleeze. The kid dancers weren’t the only ones stepping all over that stage like they owned it. Ninja tippity-tapped on Bounty’s face without a real word said in return. He also waltzed over Beenie’s backside without so much as a protest from the Doctor. Damn! Ninja strong-armed the New Jersey Reggaefest this year boys and girls, believe that.
Click here to view photos about this event.
For Reactions email me at
shotta@nowadayzdancehall.com
Reported by: Dilinjah
Assisted By: Dee Dub
Photography: Mistah Shakes
Written By: Dilinjah
Layout and Design: B.Diamondz and Mistah Shakes
Edited by: Lazarus
Nowadayzdancehall.com 2007
Beenie was scheduled to close the show at 11pm but so far the show was done already---Ninja stole it. Beenie was dressed in a full suit of white with a matching felt hat saddling his dreadlocks. Beenie got right to work with 
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