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KINGSTON, Jamaica — Many aspiring dancehall artistes in the 1980s would point to the controversial Shabba Ranks or Ninjaman as their biggest influences, but Ricki Di Lova favoured fun-loving acts like Professor Nuts and Lieutenant Stitchie.
The Florida-based toaster pays homage to masters of the pun on Stand Pipe, his latest song. He produced it for his Turbulence Intl Productions.
Like his heroes, Ricki Di Lova revels in double entendre throughout the uptempo track. He said that with all the negatives associated with dancehall music, fans could do with a laugh.
“Too much dark songs inna di dancehall. We are already living in trying times. Stand Pipe brings a buzz! When di people hear it, dem get lively. It makes people feel good an’ stand up an’ rock!” he exclaimed.
Growing up in Kingston during the 1970s, Ricky Di Lova was used to hearing roots-reggae and hardcore dancehall songs on sound systems. Easy-listening singles by Carl Malcolm, Stanley Beckford or Ras Karbi got little attention.
That changed a decade later with songs like Inna di Bus by Professor Nuts and Wear yuh Size by Lieutenant Stitchie. They were not only popular in the dancehall, but gained steady radio rotation.
Ricky Di Lova believes Stand Pipe is just as versatile.
“This song is perfect for di summer and all-year long. Di riddim brings a get up an’ dance vibe an’ di lyrics are fun. I’m trying to bring some humour into dancehall so people can ‘fulljoy’ themselves,” he said.
— Howard Campbell
