Mel Cooke, Freelance Writer

Left: Beenie Man chats with MC Jerry D at the press launch of Beenie Man's Summer Sizzle, held at the Hilton Kingston hotel, Knutsford Boulevard, New Kingston, on Tuesday.   Right: Professor Carolyn Cooper issued a mandate to Beenie Man, to work in accordance to his name 'Moses'. - photos by Winston Sill/Freelance Photographer

There was laughter at the Hilton Kingston hotel, New Kingston, on Tuesday evening when Professor Carolyn Cooper said "on a God angel - a no Beenie Man fiancé me a talk bout".

The guest speaker at the official launch of the 2006 Beenie Man Summer Sizzle was in the middle of translating the story of Moses and the burning bush into Jamaican tongue, quickly making the tale relevant to the event and the person whose birthday the annual concert celebrates.

"I am taking this opportunity to throw out a challenge to Beenie Man. I am inviting you to take on the mission of your biblical namesake," she said to Moses 'Beenie Man' Davis. That mission is "to use your exceptional talents to help lead the Jamaican people out of the prison of mental slavery in which we are still trapped".

Cooper pointed out that at the concert held for Miss Lou at Emancipation Park on her last visit here, she was so captivated by Beenie Man's performance that she asked "a who dat?".

"I hope you will continue sizzling not just for the summer, but for many years to come," Cooper said.

Local and overseas acts

And when Clyde McKenzie said that the 2006 Beenie Man Summer Sizzle, slated for Saturday, August 26, at the Jamalco Sports Complex, Halse Hall, Clarendon, will have a mixture of "local acts, Caribbean acts, international acts, vintage acts", there was graphic, glossy proof of his words behind him.

The Shocking Vibes executive spoke against the backdrop of a larger than life poster with the faces of the performers slated for the Saturday, August 26, concert, in Halse Hall, Clarendon.

On it were Mya, Chamillionaire, Hulk Hogan (who will host the fourth staging of Summer Sizzle), his daughter Brook Hogan, Akon, Rupee, Capleton, Morgan Heritage, Cocoa Tea, Tanto Metro and Devonte, Cobra, Natural Black, Admiral Bailey, John Holt, Josey Wales, Charlie Chaplin, D'Angel, Don Mafia and, naturally, Beenie Man, among many others. There will be music from DJ Green Lantern, Sky Juice and Danger Zone, with Ruff Kut and Riddim 2000 among the bands which will play.

And Beenie Man said "Foxy Brown" from the back of the room when the list was being read out.

Wisynco's Zachary Harding was the second of the sponsor's representatives to speak, endorsements of the event coming from Cable and Wireless' Rohan Wade and Heineken's Gayle Cabezas.