IAN ALLEN/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
Eek-A-Mouse.
Kandre McDonald, Freelance Writer
In 1980 Eek-A-Mouse stamped his name on the world of reggae music with his most popular song to date, Wha Do Dem. Although the content of the song was considered controversial at the time, it was from this single that the 6' 6" giant made his name in Jamaica. Two decades later, the 'only mouse that sings' still tours extensively across Europe and occasionally does shows in other foreign countries. He has a recent collaboration, Khaki Suit appearing on Jr. Gong's Welcome To Jamrock album, which he said he expects to create waves within the world of music. Born Ripton Joseph Hylton on November 19, 1957, in Kingston, Jamaica, Hylton, who got his name from a racehorse he constantly lost money on, was more than compliant to relate his strides and struggles in the music industry with The Sunday Gleaner. Relaxing in the Arnett Gardens community, where he considers himself more than welcome, the 'gigantic mouse' was somewhat more conversational than expected as he relates over two decades of music.
Sunday Gleaner: Where is Eek-A-Mouse from originally?
Eek-A-Mouse: I have lived in a number of places while in Jamaica. I resided in Allman Town as a kid, then onto Retreat Avenue, then Waterhouse, then Upper Rose Lane and Arnett Gardens right now. I still go to Arnett when I am in Jamaica, because I don't think it make no sense to go and rent hotel room and car, so I just jam with the guys down at Arnett.
SG: How did you get started in the music business?
Eek-A-Mouse: I usually perform at concerts in school. About a year after I left Gaynstead High School I was at the studios bouncing around. I later found myself singing at Gemini with Nickodemus, Rankin' Trevor and Papa Roots. Things really started out for me one day when I was walking to the Carib Cinema in Cross Roads and Jah Thomas and Leroy Smart called me and seh I must meet the boss. They introduced me to Junjo Lawes, a big producer at the time. They told him about my unique voice and he asked me to do a thing. I sang and he told me to meet him at the studio the other day.
SG: How did you get your first big break?
Eek-A-Mouse: I got the big break at Sunsplash in 1981. At this time Wah Duh Dem was number one on British charts. I went to Sunsplash and at the time the round fare was $36 and I only had $40 in my name. I went to Jarrett Park and saw the promoter and told him I want to work for free. He told me that I could work if I could find a band. At the time I saw Sly and Robbie Shakespeare and they say that they would back me up. After I performed, over 40,0000 people keep screaming for more Eek-a-Mouse. I did not have much songs then so I had to improvise and used my voice to create sound effects. After I finished, the promoter came and gave me $200 and told me that he wanted to book me for the following year.
SG: How do you react to the saying that you are Jamaica's first singjay?
Eek-A-Mouse: From the beginning I am being called that. I consider it a great compliment.
SG: There are reports that you do from 200 250 shows per year throughout Europe. How do you manage this hectic schedule?
Eek-A-Mouse: That easy man. Your work is hard because you work eight hours per day, but I on the other hand work two hours per night. It is only hard if you burn yourself out. My days are spent in the gym and cooking or going to the race track.
SG: What is the longest time that you have been out of Jamaica?
Eek-A-Mouse: I have recently been back to Jamaica after spending some nine years overseas. I've wanted to come back for a long time.
SG: How many albums have you done to date?
Eek-A-Mouse: About 19 and now I am doing some recordings. I have some material right now and can put together an album in no time.
SG: What was controversial about your smash hit 'Wah Duh Dem' that made it unsuitable for radio?
Eek-A-Mouse: Because I was singing about the virgin girl. They were hassling Barry G at the time and now most of the songs have to be getting beeped out. Life is unique; you can do something today and it is considered wrong but a few years from now it is legal.
SG: Why are you considering a comeback on the Jamaican music scene?
Eek-A-Mouse: It is a return, not a comeback. The Jamaican people have already given me my graduation papers. I just went to foreign to work because the promoters at the time considered me a foreign artiste. But you can't leave out Jamaica, because anything break out in Jamaica must make it overseas. If I hurt any of my local fans I am sincerely sorry that I have abandoned them over the past few years.
SG: How would you describe your contribution to Jamaica's music industry?
Eek-A-Mouse: I think I play a very important part. This man is 6' 6", 420 pounds that stands out and produce some good material. I am not done yet, as there is more to go.
SG: How has the music industry been treating you?
Eek-A-Mouse: So far, so good. I am planning to push some more stuff on the local market. Currently I have collaboration with Anthony B and another with Jr. Gong and Bounty Killer.
SG: How did this collaboration come to fruition?
Eek-A-Mouse: While I was performing at a show in California I saw Damian Marley, Kymani Marley, Stephen Marley and members of their entourage at the side of the stage watching me perform. I called them onstage and we started working together and the crowd loved it. They told me they loved my style and sometime later I got a call from Jr. Gong who said that he wanted to work with me.
SG: What happen to your short-lived acting career?
Eek-A-Mouse: Every time they want Eek-a-Mouse to play gangsta role and I was not into that, so I usually give up those opportunities. Again producers went out to have me banned from the screen, saying that I was difficult to work with.
SG: What is the biggest record deal you have had?
Eek-A-Mouse: I signed with Capital Record when Wesley Snipes' agent, Delores Robinson, was manager. While I was in California hanging out I saw her son Matt Robinson hanging out with the stars. He made me meet all the stars and we hang out occasionally. He made me get a deal with Capital through his links. He told me that he wanted a six album deal but I only wanted to do two, didn't wanted to be tied up. He came back to me and said the two album deal could not work and he was mad at me because I did not want to sign to the six album deal. They eventually let me go, but I still walked away with a good amount of money. I could have sued them for breach of contract, but I did could not bother. They wanted to do almost everything and take all the money, but I told them no. They ended up blacklisting me for a while. But that did not stop me and I continued touring in Europe.
SG: What is the most difficult thing you have had to deal with thus far in your career?
Eek-A-Mouse: Well I met one of the evilest white man in my life ... He turned out to be one of the most racist dude I have ever met in my life. I had a management deal with him, where he said that he would put it in a trust fund for me. During the period working with him the capital coming in was about US$1.4 million. He was in some money problem with the law and robbed up the money I gave him to put in the trust fund.
According to the 'mouse', he is currently gearing up for an extended tour of Europe where he will be going to Switzerland, Germany, Poland, Netherlands, Denmark and other European countries to perform.
