Whatever happened to… Jamaican artistes who have disappeared from the music scene

However, the music industry is constantly changing. While some artistes start off with a big bang and maintain their status, others fade away from the scene without a whisper.

Loop Entertainment is jogging your memories by digging up Jamaican artistes who have either gone AWOL or hit a wall in their career.

Whatever happened to…

1.  Madd Anju/Mad Andrew – This deejay first came into the limelight in 1996, as a part of the Main Street Crew. He later hit real big on his own with his hit, ‘Wha Dis Fadda’. While he started off his recordings under the moniker Mad Andrew, he later revamped it to Madd Anjuu, to represent a more authentic Jamaican ‘patwah’ spelling and reflect his urban art style. He was a part of Red Rat’s ‘Brat’ Production Company, and experienced musical success with a slew of hits, which included, ‘Mi No Play Chess’, ‘Star Face’, ‘My Youth’, ‘Shots Shots’, ‘Club Claw’ and the ‘Virus Juggling Megamix’.  However, Madd Anjuu, who was once dubbed to be ‘Jamaica’s next big thing,’ disappeared from the spotlight. Madd Anjuu now resides in Middle Quarters, St Elizabeth.

2.   Frisco Kidd – This former Shocking Vibes deejay hit it big with his positive message of safe sex, in his 1996 song, ‘Rubbers’, on the Joyride Rhythm. But like the flowers he sang about, he faded from the limelight. The West Kingston native, attempted to make a comeback in 2006 with Steven McGreggor’s Big Ship Music Label but failed to make a splash. It seems Frisco Kidd needs to draw for a life jacket.

3. Predator  –  The  2003 song, “Head Nuh Good” is a dancehall music staple product. However, the man behind the song seems to have disappeared into the musical boon land without a trace it seems. Only once resurfacing to say he had no management. While Predator reached massive heights with his tune, he seems to have no plans to rebound on what some have called extraordinary talent.

4.  Merital – This four member group were instrumental in creating popular dances, such as, ‘Frog Back’ and ‘Buss A Wine’, prior to their big break in 2010.  In 2010, they hit superstardom with the Vybz Kartel collab, “My Money Ha Ha”. However, their stint in the limelight was followed by trouble, with one group member, Keneale Merital, serving prison time in the United States and another member, Derrick ‘Corey’ Edwards, shot and killed in Montego Bay in 2015.

5.  Shane O – He rose to fame while still attending high school with ‘Lightning Flash’ – and just like that, he almost vanished from the spotlight. However, there is a popular Jamaican saying, “If it nuh dead,nuh dash it weh”; after 10 years of dormancy, Shane O may be on the rebound after a brief stint with Gully Bop in 2016.

6.  Pamputtae – She helped to coin the phrase, “Talk di tings dem!”  And with the help of Tony Matterhorn broke on to the dancehall scene – her first glimmer of stardom coming from an introduction she did on Matterhorn’s 2006, “Goodas Fi Dem”.  The Fletchers Land native really hit big in 2008, with her “Goody Good.” Pamputtae continued to have success with dancehall tracks such as “Ride It”, “Talk Di Tings” and “Slim Gal vs Fluffy Gal”. She had a stint making soca and later gospel, before simply fading away from the musical spotlight.

7.   Kiprich – Did a smartphone thing mash-up his musical career?  Kiprich was definitely a ‘big deal’.  Who can forget, “Mad Sick Head No Good,” which featured Predator; certainly one of the biggest tunes of the 2000’s. Then Kiprich’s “Telephone Ting” spawned a slew of counter-action songs and even a follow up with a “Letter.” Not to mention Kippo, as he is sometimes called, was the mastermind behind Elephant Man’s 2003 mega-hit, “Jook Gal”. While he attempted to stay relevant and plug into the world of “Smartphones” in 2014, the song wasn’t quite smart enough. Not even a little hiccup at a stage show, Sting in 2014 with Masicka, seemed a smart enough move to land him back in the spotlight.

8.  Snagga Puss –  His first musical moniker was ‘Dicky Ranks’,  starting off his career  toasting on sound systems. After changing his name to Snagga Puss, a name he derived from the 1952 pink anthropomorphic mountain lion cartoon character Snagglepuss, he was picked up by the Shocking Vibes imprint.  He released a major album in 1993, “Whoop Dem Merlene”, and with tracks such as “Carry Go Bring Come”, “Merl” and “Ex Lover”, Snagga Puss was an artiste on the rise.  He enjoyed major success in 1995 with “Woody Wood-Pecker” and “Popeye” and toured with theShocking Vibes Crew. However, by the end of the 90’s Snagga Puss disappeared from the music scene – the deejay claimed he was forced to take a break after being diagnosed with stage-one diabetes. He later resurfaced with his own line of herbal products, which he told local newspapers, “made more money than the music business.”  There has been buzz about Snagga Puss’ possible return to the music business; however, it has yet to happen.