May 23, 2013
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Posts tagged: patois

Biggie 101: The Notorious B.I.G. x Jamaica

Words by Jesse Serwer—

Exactly a year ago, we published one of our most ambitious and most popular Toppa Top 10 lists, highlighting the influence of Jamaican culture on the lyrics of the Notorious B.I.G, from lamb’s bread weed references to collaborations with JA singer Diana King and Super Cat. As we celebrate what would have been the iconic Brooklyn rapper’s 40th birthday today, on the 50th anniversary of Jamaica’s independence, we’re back in that state of mind. Check out some of our favorite yard-ified Biggie tunes below, or read the whole Toppa Top 10 here.

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Toppa Top 10: Hollywood’s Worst Fake Jamaican Accents


Words by Jesse Serwer, Eddie STATS Houghton and Bonjay—

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World Premiere: Bonjay featuring Natalie Storm, “Stumble (Passa Passa Remix)”

Words by Jesse Serwer

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Bonjay are a duo from Ontario—Toronto, by way of Ottawa—with a sound all their own and a name that means “Good God” in Granadian patois. Their 2010 EP Broughtupsy–also Caribbean slang, this time from Trinidad–juxtaposes dancehall-inspired riddims with half-Jamaican/half-Granadian singer Alanna Stuart’s R&B-meets-Kate Bush vocalisms (and some occasional chatting, too). “Stumble,” a single with one of the more creative uses of airhorn sounds we’ve heard in a while (and that’s saying something), was released in North America back in the fall but it’s still going strong thanks to a recent European single release and a sweaty, spastic video with a Flashdance-meets-Talking Heads vibe. The “Passa Passa Remix,” by producer Prodigal (of Swatch International/Passa Passa fame) turns the bashment vibes way up, with chunky dancehall drums and a verse from our very own Punany Monologues columnist Natalie Storm. Stream/download below and check this space for more on Bonjay–currently at work on their debut album in Berlin– in the very near future.

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Toppa Top 10: Biggie’s 10 Best Jamaican References

Words by Jesse Serwer

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This Saturday, May 21, would be the 39th birthday birthday of one Christopher Wallace. Every Biggie fan knows he was Jamaican, but lesser known is the degree to which patois dialect and dancehall music informed his lyrics. While some instances are dead obvious—stop your bloodclot crying—others require some more explanation. In the spirit of the late Frank White, we figured we’d hit you with a little Biggie 101, so those that don’t know… now you know.

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