Ninjaman
Encyclopedia
Ninjaman, alias Don Gorgon, (born Desmond John Ballentine on January 20, 1966, in Annotto Bay, Jamaica
) is a popular dancehall
deejay
/ Actor
, known for his controversial and pro-gun lyrics and his stuttering and melodramatic style. Ninjaman is currently in jail awaiting trial for a murder that was commited in Kingston, Jamaica.
at the age of 11, he launched his deejay career with the Black Culture Sound System at age 12 as "Double Ugly". In 1980, he joined Killamanjaro
, there got the chance to learn from established deejays Super Cat
and Early B
, and released his debut single as "Uglyman". Yet another name change made him the now well known Ninjaman.
In 1987, Ninjaman recorded - and produced himself - his first hit single "Protection", a duet with Courtney Melody. The following years brought many prolific collaborations with producers like King Jammy
, Witty, Xterminator, Philip "Fatis" Burrell, Redman, Ini Kamoze
, Bobby Digital
, Augustus "Gussie" Clarke, and Steely & Clevie
and Henry "Junjo" Lawes. It has been said that Ninjaman comes up with all of his lyrics on the spot in the recording studio, in a freestyle manner.
His hits over the years 1989-1992, like "Murder Dem", "Permit to Bury" and "Above the Law" reinforced Ninjaman's image of a violent rude boy
. One of his most infamous rivalries (besides the ongoing quarrels with Flourgon
and Super Cat
) was the one with Shabba Ranks
, leading to a number of clashes
.
In 1993, criticism of Ninjaman's violent and pro-gun lyrics arose, leading to a decline in performing gigs and chances to record.
By 1997, Ninjaman had changed his name once again, now performing gospel
reggae songs as "Brother Desmond". He sought help to fight his Crack cocaine
addiction in born again Christianity.
In the late 1990s, he was accused (but later acquitted), among other things, of having raped a woman at knifepoint in his home and having murdered a taxi driver. He was sentenced to one year in jail in late 1999, after being convicted of unlawfully possessing a firearm and ammunition.
In July 2001, Ninjaman was assaulted with a machete
, suffering several wounds, some to the head.
In March 2009, Ninjaman was arrested and charged in connection with a murder on Marl Road, Kingston, Jamaica.
Saint Mary Parish, Jamaica
Saint Mary is a parish located in the northeast section of Jamaica. With a population of 115,000 it is one of Jamaica's smallest parishes, located in the county of Middlesex. Its chief town and capital is Port Maria, located on the coast. It is also the birthplace of established dancehall reggae...
) is a popular dancehall
Dancehall
Dancehall is a genre of Jamaican popular music that originated in the late 1970s. Initially dancehall was a more sparse version of reggae than the roots style, which had dominated much of the 1970s. In the mid-1980s, digital instrumentation became more prevalent, changing the sound considerably,...
deejay
Deejay
A deejay is a reggae or dancehall musician who sings and toasts to an instrumental riddim .Deejays are not to be confused with disc jockeys from other music genres like hip-hop, where they select and play music. Dancehall/reggae DJs who select riddims to play are called selectors...
/ Actor
Actor
An actor is a person who acts in a dramatic production and who works in film, television, theatre, or radio in that capacity...
, known for his controversial and pro-gun lyrics and his stuttering and melodramatic style. Ninjaman is currently in jail awaiting trial for a murder that was commited in Kingston, Jamaica.
Biography
After moving from his birthplace Annotto Bay to KingstonKingston, Jamaica
Kingston is the capital and largest city of Jamaica, located on the southeastern coast of the island. It faces a natural harbour protected by the Palisadoes, a long sand spit which connects the town of Port Royal and the Norman Manley International Airport to the rest of the island...
at the age of 11, he launched his deejay career with the Black Culture Sound System at age 12 as "Double Ugly". In 1980, he joined Killamanjaro
Killamanjaro
Founded in the summer of 1969, Killamanjaro is a Jamaican sound system best known for their clashes and large amount of classical reggae dubplates.It is owned by Noel "Papa Jaro" Harper and named after Mount Kilimanjaro...
, there got the chance to learn from established deejays Super Cat
Super Cat
Super Cat is a deejay most popular during the late 1980s and early 1990s dancehall movement. Super Cat was born in Jamaica and was nicknamed Wild Apache. His nickname, the "Wild Apache" was given to him by his mentor Early B...
and Early B
Early B
Earlando Arrington Neil, better known by his stage name Early B, was an early dancehall and reggae deejay whose lyrics had a cultural bent, noted mainly in his hits Visit of King Selassie, History of Jamaica and Wheely Wheely, the latter an ode to bicycle-riding in Jamaica.-Biography:Earlando was...
, and released his debut single as "Uglyman". Yet another name change made him the now well known Ninjaman.
In 1987, Ninjaman recorded - and produced himself - his first hit single "Protection", a duet with Courtney Melody. The following years brought many prolific collaborations with producers like King Jammy
King Jammy
Lloyd James , better known as Prince Jammy or King Jammy, is a dub mixer and record producer. He began his musical career as a dub master at King Tubby's recording studio...
, Witty, Xterminator, Philip "Fatis" Burrell, Redman, Ini Kamoze
Ini Kamoze
Cecil Campbell , better known by his stage name Ini Kamoze is a Jamaican reggae singer. He is best known for his signature song, "Here Comes the Hotstepper", which was released in 1994, and subsequently topped the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 chart...
, Bobby Digital
Bobby Digital
Bobby Digital may refer to:*Robert Dixon , an influential dancehall producer, also known as "Bobby Digital"*RZA, a rapper and music producer who has performed under the name Bobby Digital...
, Augustus "Gussie" Clarke, and Steely & Clevie
Steely & Clevie
Steely & Clevie, aka Wycliffe Johnson and Cleveland Browne, was a Jamaican dancehall reggae production duo. It worked with artists such as the Specials, Gregory Peck , Bounty Killer, Elephant Man and No Doubt....
and Henry "Junjo" Lawes. It has been said that Ninjaman comes up with all of his lyrics on the spot in the recording studio, in a freestyle manner.
His hits over the years 1989-1992, like "Murder Dem", "Permit to Bury" and "Above the Law" reinforced Ninjaman's image of a violent rude boy
Rude boy
Rude boy, rudeboy, rudie, rudi or rudy are common terms used in Jamaica. In the 1960s it was also used for juvenile delinquents and criminals in Jamaica, and has since been used in other contexts...
. One of his most infamous rivalries (besides the ongoing quarrels with Flourgon
Flourgon
Michael May , better known as Flourgon, is a Jamaican dancehall artist.-Biography:May got his nickname of 'Flourgon', which became his stage name, due to his love of dumplings. After being tutored by Charlie Chaplin, he gained experience deejaying on various Kingston sound systems, he started his...
and Super Cat
Super Cat
Super Cat is a deejay most popular during the late 1980s and early 1990s dancehall movement. Super Cat was born in Jamaica and was nicknamed Wild Apache. His nickname, the "Wild Apache" was given to him by his mentor Early B...
) was the one with Shabba Ranks
Shabba Ranks
Shabba Ranks is a Jamaican dancehall musician.He was one of the most popular dancehall artists of his generation. He was also one of the first Jamaican deejays to gain worldwide acceptance, and recognition for his 'slack' lyrical expressions and content, when "ridin' di riddim"...
, leading to a number of clashes
Sound clash
A Sound clash is a musical competition where crew members from opposing reggae sound systems pit their skills against each other. Sound clashes take place in a variety of venues, both indoors and outdoors...
.
In 1993, criticism of Ninjaman's violent and pro-gun lyrics arose, leading to a decline in performing gigs and chances to record.
By 1997, Ninjaman had changed his name once again, now performing gospel
Gospel
A gospel is an account, often written, that describes the life of Jesus of Nazareth. In a more general sense the term "gospel" may refer to the good news message of the New Testament. It is primarily used in reference to the four canonical gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John...
reggae songs as "Brother Desmond". He sought help to fight his Crack cocaine
Crack cocaine
Crack cocaine is the freebase form of cocaine that can be smoked. It may also be termed rock, hard, iron, cavvy, base, or just crack; it is the most addictive form of cocaine. Crack rocks offer a short but intense high to smokers...
addiction in born again Christianity.
In the late 1990s, he was accused (but later acquitted), among other things, of having raped a woman at knifepoint in his home and having murdered a taxi driver. He was sentenced to one year in jail in late 1999, after being convicted of unlawfully possessing a firearm and ammunition.
In July 2001, Ninjaman was assaulted with a machete
Machete
The machete is a large cleaver-like cutting tool. The blade is typically long and usually under thick. In the English language, an equivalent term is matchet, though it is less commonly known...
, suffering several wounds, some to the head.
In March 2009, Ninjaman was arrested and charged in connection with a murder on Marl Road, Kingston, Jamaica.
Discography
- Number One
- Glad Me Release (1986)
- Send Threat To Me (1988)
- Slackness Done (1988)
- Stumbling Block/Sixteen (1988)
- Superstar (1988)
- Big Showdown (1990)
- Kill Them And Done (1990)
- Murder Dem (1990)
- My Weapon (1990)
- Out Pon Bail (1990)
- The Last Of Flourgan (1990)
- Warning You Now (1990)
- Zig It Up (1990)
- Bring Them All To Jesus (1991)
- Bunty Hunter (1991)
- Dirt Heart (1991)
- Excuse Me (1991)
- From Mi Hold Him (1991)
- Gunman (1991)
- John Law (1991)
- Mandela Come (1991)
- Permit To Bury (1991)
- Step Aside (1991)
- Sunsplash (Don Gorgon) (1991)
- Target Practice (1991)
- Ting A Ling A Ling A School Pickney Sing Ting (1992)
- Hardcore Killing (1993)
- Original Front Tooth Gold Tooth Gun Pon Tooth Don Gorgon! (1993)
- Run come test (1993)
- Artical Don (1994)
- Booyakka Booyakka (1994)
- Hollow Point Bad Boy... (1994)
- Jungle Move (Remarc Remix) (1995)
- Ninja Man Mega Mix (2000)
- Anything Test Dead (2001)
- When It Done/Mad Again (2004)