Dancehall Professor Says Silk Boss Having A “Rising Tide Moment” In Music
Dancehall Professor Donna P. Hope has weighed in on the series of incidences that have led to Montego Bay’s Silk Boss becoming a household name in Jamaica and his latest song, Sorry, now YouTube’s most streamed video in Jamaica over the last three weeks.
Professor Hope, who is a lecturer in Culture, Gender, and Society at the University of the West Indies, in an interview on Television Jamaica’s The Entertainment Report, mused that the Surgery artist, has become more popular amongst people within and outside of Dancehall, following a viral video which showed him being boxed in the face repeatedly by two masked men.
Silk Boss, who later said the men were former friends of his, also reported that they had robbed him of $1.4 million.
“Silk Boss, who in Dancehall is known by many people but outside of Dancehall was not known by a lot of people, now becomes a figure that many people recognise the name. So the controversy spurred on a lot of conversation and gave Silk a big highlight. So there is an issue of having that kind of controversy as a selling point for an artiste. Everybody knows Silk Boss’ name after that video came out,” Professor Hope said.
But in countering Hope’s stance, veteran entertainment journalist Anthony Miller posited that: “But there is an element of humiliation involved. You are an artiste, you don’t want to be seen to be knocked about by anybody, and, not all over social media”.
However, Professor Hope insisted that many people in recent times, have used travesties to propel their careers, particularly in the social media age.
“This is 2022. People are using many means to buss. He and his partner Brii, found ways to kind of use the kind of activity that he suffered to propel him outwards. So, it becomes, for him, a rising tide moment,” she explained.
“That’s what I saw coming from it so the level of humiliation and the way an artiste who should be hardcore, would be harmed by it… he seems to be riding on that wave, at least in the eyes of people who didn’t know him before and the eyes of fans who were supporting him. So he gets more publicity,” she said of the Montego Bay native.
Following the assault, Silk Boss had taken to the studio to voice Sorry which was produced by Ice Queen Records productions, and shoot an accompanying music video which was directed by Dark Moon Cinema.
The No. 1 music video, which relives some aspects of the assault, which took place in Portmore, has been receiving numerous compliments from music lovers and well-wishers who saw the initial reports, some rejoicing that out of an evil act perpetrated against him, Silk Boss had come out triumphant.
“Only song I listed to over 10 times since it released. There is something in me that wants him to get bigger and richer, so he can remove himself from certain people and area. What they meant for evil, God turned it around for his good. I pray for you & your family’s, relatives protection,” one woman posted on YouTube.
“Perfect example of when life knocks you down, you never give up – just get back up and go harder! Much respect to Silk Boss!,” euisa cous said
Others complimented him on the fact that the song carries no profanities, while some said he has touched the hearts of many.
“The fact that it’s been 3 weeks and he’s still trending #1 means that this song really leave an impact on the people,” ThatGirlLiyha said, while ThatGirkMika added: “Sorry to say this to everyone who reads this but the greatest that comes from Silk Boss is when he’s going through hurt, so in other words tell them thank you for the humiliation it made another hit song, the places God going to take you, smh keep the FAITH”.