The Chaka Chaka dance has been blazing a scorching trail inside the local dancehalls with its shoulder-twisting back-breaking movements. It has also inspired at least two music videos. Similarly, in the streets the dance is brewing some heat as to its origins.
By Germaine SmithDancehall artist Kentucky Kid, who has been around for a while, is claiming that the name 'Chaka Chaka', the rhythm, and the moves were made by himself and his crew, but taken away and made popular by selector/producer Firelinks.
Vocal claims
In the past few weeks he has been more vocal with these claims, but Firelinks when contacted by THE STAR, stoutly denied the assertion, claiming that he does not even know who Kentucky Kid is.
Kentucky Kid made his deejay name in the 1990s with some fairly popular
dubplates. The most popular of these were Clap Yu Han (Do As I Say), and Straight Jeans and Desert Clarks. Since that time he says, he has turned to producing, making different rhythms, one of which he called the 'Chaka Chaka' based on the popular street slang.
"I called it 'Chaka Chaka' to mean when yu house not in order and it need fi straighten up," he told THE STAR recently. "We start distribute it through my company Landslide Movements and I gave everybody, selector, radio man, everybody."
"The Chaka Chaka thing started at Brotherton Avenue in Waltham. Links is from the other side of Waltham and he pirated the song, built the rhythm and voiced Elephant Man, Beenie Man and everybody else, so the world know the dance before we bussed it."
Firelinks denies
Firelinks however denies this claim. "I don't even know who Kentucky Kid is," he stated. "The Chaka Chaka dance originate from the Chaka Chaka squad in Waltham. I built the rhythm from it cause it has a flavour we like, and it have a vibe. Is just a hype he is looking from our thing," Links continued.
While it is possible both camps could have made the name at the same time because of the popular slang, they remain firm in their claims.
Kid however told THE STAR that he is launching a new effort. He is coming with the Landslide dance, named off his Landslide Sound System, and recorded on his 'Landslide' rhythm. "This one will tek off just like the first, and launch me the right way this time," he stated.
