Boom Boom crowned ‘King of the Streets’

Boom Boom said his official crowing as 'King of the Streets' by Club MECA marked one of his greatest musical achievements.

As an extra special gift on Christmas Day, the renowned international selector/MC said he cried "tears of joy" as he was adorned in a red gown and a crown was carefully placed on his head by Dancehall Queen (DHQ) Carlene, because that special moment is one he'll cherish for a lifetime.

"Dis crowning mek tears come a mi eye. Because fi see mi a dweet suh long and so many people look pass mi but MECA see di work locally and internationally. Mi neva did want no street event crown mi because people woulda seh it bias. Suh with MECA being the number one club inna Jamaica, when dem reach out and seh dat, mi feel good," Boom Boom told THE STAR.

Founder/CEO of MECA, Michael Dawson, said the idea, which was proposed by DHQ Carlene, was fitting for Boom Boom who has been "keeping the raw dancehall culture alive".

"We decided to honour Boom Boom as MECA believes that even though we are competitors, we must honour our own and not wait for an entity outside of dancehall or overseas to decide to honour us," Dawson told THE STAR.

"MECA is largely influenced by 90's dancehall and our DHQ Carlene saw the platform Boom Boom provides for dancers and new artistes/new songs at least three times a week. She felt he must be recognised for keeping that raw dancehall culture alive and so we thought it was only fair." He noted that though it's not an "official" ceremony per se, Boom Boom is officially the 'Street King', and the commemoration also underscored the entity's continued efforts in traditionally offering awards to those within the entertainment space who are truly deserving.

An emotional Boom Boom said he has been representing for the streets "from mi step out inna 2010".

"Mi first event was Uptown Mondays and then Mumma Blaz and Blaza gimmie Boasy Tuesdays, and then we build Boom Sundays. Suh these three events in which mi addi resident deejay, stay current right through the years and mi still endorse and sometimes play addi other weekly events dem like Weddy Weddy Wednesdays, Leggo Di Street and Feel Good or Whappings Thursdays," he said.

Adding to his 'street cred', Boom Boom said he's also loved and highly respected because "mi tek care a mi people dem inna di street".

"When mi mek extra money inna money pull-up, mi just call a couple girls inna di party n seh 'mi cheerleaders unu come fi money'. That's why my event dem eva loud because people know seh if dem attend, dem know dem can go home wid a two gran can send dem yout dem a school a mawnin," he highlighted.

Boom Boom recalled that he was the 'warm up' DJ for Uptown Mondays, until one day, the founder Fada Witty decided to give him an extended run. Unfortunately, rain spoiled his show, but he was given another chance the following week - the rest was history.

Boom Boom also lauded dancehall artistes Flex and Bounty Killer who "bring me inna di streets and link mi up wid some addi other promoters".

"Mi know mi ago deliver because from dem gimmie mi debut fi play, mi know mi ago play again," he said. He also shared that his musical appetite and skills are cultured differently.

"Mi grow up playing vinyl; mi bad pon vinyl because a vinyl mi use and learn fi mix. Then we upgraded to CD and now to laptop... Mi used to affi a travel wid two record box and mi suitcase and dat was a heavy burden to travel wid. Suh even though di laptop have everything pon it and mek it easier fi travel wid, me play music different; mi play from mi heart," he said.