Original Jewmaican dancehall DJ slated for IRWMA
A decade after Behn Goldis discovered his penchant for dancehall riddims and rhymes, the orthodox Jewish deejay will make his IRWMA debut at the world famous Apollo next month. Acclaimed as the original of his sect to publicly declare an affinity for Jamaica's beats and rhymes, the deejay known as Benny Bwoy garnered attention from many New York radio personalities and select crowds during private sessions he entertained then.
A deeply religious worshipper of the Lubavitcher sect of orthodoxy, Benny Bwoy travels extensively, and throughout the years performed his brand of Yiddish reggae in Israel and other European cities.
Marriage and other commitments forced Benny Bwoy to take a brief hiatus from the circuit. During that period he also became the father of twins. Since that time, Matisyahu, another Lubavitcher deejay, has emerged with similar samplings that rival those of the declared original deejay.
“I have been doing this for a long time. It is not a fad with me. I have been listening to people like…and I am known as Benny Bwoy...
Formerly known as the “Reggae Rabbi”, the Bwoy is able to weave Hebrew and Jamaica 's patois pronouncing positive rhymes that quickly diffuse any controversy.
During tense stand-offs in Crown Heights and Far Rockaway, Queens when racial differences impeded peaceful co-existence, Benny Bwoy mediated to pacify Jews and Caribbean residents.
“I met Benny Bwoy when I was covering a racial incident in Queens ,” former Village Voice reporter explained.
“He was leaving his synagogue in Queens and I was immediately impressed by the way he won the confidence of the two feuding groups. Then when I heard him deejay, I realised he was no ordinary Hassidim (Orthodox Jew).”
To see a satin yarmulke on top of his head and hearing him spew lyrics about unity and purpose is reason to close your eyes and wonder. His message could well be similar to those of Beenie, Bounty or Buju. More time, it is Benny Bwoy, the deejay, who considers himself the original Jew-Maican.
Undoubtedly, he will take the stage with the likes of Damian “Junior Gong” Marley, Machel Montano, Alton Ellis and Beenie Man. He will not be first. The Jew-maican will arrive after sunset when his Sabbath restrictions permit him to transform to Benny Bwoy.
Source http://www.sunheraldjamaica.com/vinwhirl.htm