Popular entertainment promoters Irish and Chin based in New Jersey in the United States have come in for some flack in having promoted Bashment Granny some time ago, of interest for this post is the response by them to the notion of harboring or associating with "Battybois" and a reference to a particular dancehall artist as well who is rumoured to be gay.
Here is an excerpt from the then answer in 2009, (WARNING! Strong Language):
"It is no surprise that my recent attempts to produce growth and broaden the fan base of the Irish and Chin brand would fuel mischief for some whose sole purpose is to see my company fail. The latest gossip among the industry's society of "career wreckers" is.......Irish and Chin retires from the clash arena to endorse the "Batty Man” ting! For real though!!! You haters need to quit. How many times do you haters want us to score on you? At least play some stronger defense!! Y'all haters tried this faggot shit on us two years ago when we started managing Mr. Vegas. Remember? Allegations were spread throughout the hardcore industry that we left the arena to manage a "Batty Man"
-- insinuating that Irish and Chin will do anything for money! I must admit it was a great point attempt, but y'all never scored!!!! In fact, we made a strong name as a management company. Now tell me -- what was the crime in managing Mr. Vegas? The fact that Killa said Vegas was a "Batty Man!!" Come on..... y'all have to do better than that!
Now, the haters are at it again with the "Batty Man" topic....hoping that Bashment Granny 2 brings them more luck than the Mr. Vegas saga. Can they be anymore fuckin’ stupid? Bashment Granny 2 is currently the hottest play in Jamaica and is rumored to be Jamaica's biggest production to date. The play consists of a nine-person cast. According to certain people in the industry, one of the actors is a "Batty Man." Nevertheless, such accusations are not my concern. We hired a cast, not one individual rumored to be a homo.
This play is currently touring Jamaica's 14 parishes for the second time. Each staging on the Island has been sold out! Record breaking numbers of up to 10,000 seats for a single performance have been sold. Outside of Jamaica, the hype is even greater. The play is touring more than most artists in the industry. Right now, the most requested DVD from Jamaica is Bashment Granny 1.
So, I guess this means...... all the persons in Jamaica (over 100,000) that have attended Bashment Granny 2 are into the "Batty Man” ting. Think again!!!!!! In fact, more than half of the same haters, who are trying to mix Irish and Chin up in the Batty Boy shit, have a few members in their family that went to see Bashment Granny already! And the other half is trying to purchase advance tickets for my show in Amazura (laughing).
I have to admit -- the “Haters” love Irish and Chin! World Clash had them talking, Irish and Chin’s management team has them talking, now this play shit is game point motherfuckers!!!!"
Serious Business now playing in New Jersey
It was only last night June 26th that Shebada's current smash, Serious Business played to local theatres in New Jersey again promoted by Irish and Chin. (Flyer to the left)
Well it is good to see that despite the perceptions and however you wish to view Keith "Shebada" Ramsey the business prerogative is far more important as the statement above pointed out the popularity of the comedian and cast is just undeniable as he portrays his character very well in my view.
I doubt if we have had such open backlash locally since Shebada and the various productions have been steadily gaining momentum, strange that in the United States of all places where freedom of expression is so espoused and differing lifestyles are tolerated to a far more extent we should see this kind of crap coming through.
What was heartening were the comments to the post on Irish and Chin's page many persons were dismissive of the negative remarks allegedly levelled at the promotions team while of course there were the usual "sell out" insinuations as well.
Here is an interesting one in particular to an earlier comment made in the thread:
warhead 2009-06-05 08:15
"mike.... you stupid ass!! shebada is a actor,his part was,nt to fuck batty!!! but his part is to have a sense of humor,something that u dont have.when jamie foxx used to dress like a woman and act like a woman in living colour is he gay too? thats the part he as to play...alot of artist bleach!!! r they gay too? mike when ur cocky fail yuh, and woman nuh want yuh,yuh go suck cocky fi support yuh broke self."
Rather insulting at the end part but the gist is basically that Shebada the lead character as appearing on the flyer with the pencil is only playing a part. As we all know his role is a very effeminate one but it's ridiculously funny though. He has gotten alot of mainstream media attention both here in Jamaica and abroad and with the movie set for release by the end of 2010 many of his fans are eagerly anticipating it.
So what if he is gay he is good in terms of roots play performance delivery why are we so hung up on who he sleeps with? Nearly all lead actors in roots plays and by extension other plays usually have to act out an effeminate lead character anyway, let's not forget Chu Chu (mi is a newsss carrier!!!!!) in Passa Passa acting in full drag. Here is a clip from an old ad for the show, he is attired in the blond wig. Jamaicans love their hysterical entertainment.
Here is a classic Serious Business advert:
Peace and tolerance
H
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