singjay

n. a reggae performer who disc-jockeys and sings. Subjects: English, Jamaica, Entertainment, Music

Etymological Note: singer + dee-jay

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Citations: 1984 Richard Harrington Washington Post (May 18) “The Startling Eek-a-mouse” p. 44: At 6 1/2 skinny feet, Eek-a-mouse is as imposing as his name is entrancing. One of Jamaica’s top performers and personalities, he’s a prime practitioner of a reggae style that’s come to be known as “sing-jay,” combining toasting (Jamaican-style rap) and singing in an elastic scat format that encourages a lot of rhythmically compelling and texturally impressive vocal embellishments. 1998 [Patxi Ezquerro] Usenet: rec.music.reggae (Mar. 17) “Re: Peter Metro”: Good early 80’s DJ stylee album, a little sing-jay style i would say, check his sweet version on the rougher yet riddim. 2003 Shanel Odum Vibe Online (Sept. 2) “Don’t Sleep On The Bedroom Brits”: I like to speak on music—I’m a sing jay. I’m playing with the freestyle thing right now—it’s a new realm for me. I freestyle with my pen. When I write, I don’t write over and over and over again and I don’t listen to something and take three days to write it. I write on the spot. 2003 Lady English New Times Broward-Palm Beach (Fort Lauderdale, Florida) (Dec. 11) “Field Marshall”: Wayne Marshall is known in Jamaica as a singjay. The term comes from his ability to croon and DJ on a single track. 2004 Dave Stelfox Independent (U.K.) (Sept. 21) “Queens of dancehall”: On songs such as “Turn the Other Cheek” and “What a Day” her “sing-jay” style—a blend of bouncy chatting and silken, soulful melody—proves the perfect vehicle for social commentary.

Posted 27 Dec 04 | Permalink | Tell a Friend