When Oneil “Oneil Famous” Darby officially launched his Dancehall Thursday show, three years ago, the former deejay wanted to revive the rub-a-dub vibes he enjoyed as a young artiste during the 1980s. That weekly event is now one of the hottest tickets in Kingston.
On the August 14 edition of his event, The Ramping Shop Family, an organisation of Jamaicans based in the United States, honoured Oneil Famous for his contribution to dancehall-reggae.
Also acknowledged were Allan “Skill” Cole, former manager of Bob Marley, and music producer/show promoter Whitfield “Witty” Henry. Each man received a trophy.
“Di award means a lot to me because I’ve been in dis industry since 1982 as a dancehall deejay an’ sound system. Dis do a lot for me an’ Dancehall Thursday, it shows people in di Diaspora recognise what I’m doing,” Oneil Famous told the Jamaica Observer’s Splash.
Originally from Matthews Lane in West Kingston, the stocky promoter also spent some of his childhood in St Catherine.
Influenced by deejays such as Ranking Joe, Johnny Ringo and Josey Wales, he started his recording career in 1986.
Hosted by Peter Metro, Dancehall Thursday showcases mainly veteran artistes. Josey Wales, Leroy Gibbons, Icho Candy, Hopeton Lindo, Major Mackerel, Leroy Sibbles, Nadine Sutherland, and The Mighty Diamonds are some of the acts who have graced its stage.
The 75 year-old Cole is arguably Jamaica’s greatest footballer. He was a major star during the 1970s, playing at the top level in Jamaica for Santos and Nautico in Brazil.
A key member of Marley’s inner circle, Cole is credited as the writer of War, from Rastaman Vibration, the reggae legend’s 1976 album.
Since 2001, Witty has also promoted the wildly popular Uptown Mondays dance in Kingston. Prior to that he was a leading figure on the New York City reggae scene through his Music Master and Witty labels.
He produced Shelly Thunder’s Kuff, Teach The Youths by Barrington Levy, Sluggy Ranks’ 95% Black, and Take Time to Know Her by Tinga Stewart and Ninjaman.
The Ramping Shop Family also presented a cheque for an undisclosed sum to Major Mackerel to assist with his medical expenses. Known for songs like Pretty Looks Done and Don Man, he lost part of his right leg to diabetes five years ago.
