Shanachie Records (1981)
'Mi sen mi love a-fi mi virgin girl'
This week a classic tune has popped up for me, Eek-a-Mouse's 1980 hit Wah Do Dem (a recut of his song from the previous year, Virgin Girl). Upon it's release in 1980 the song was banned from the airwaves by the JBC (Jamaican Broadcasting Association), the lyrics deemed too offensive, naturally this sent the song straight up the charts to number one and placed Eek in the spotlight with his distinctive scat sing-jay style.
'Dem seh a-she too short an' a mi too tall'
Eek-a-Mouse has always held a special place for me as one of dancehalls most stylish toasters. Often dressed in Mexican Mariachi style, sombrero, or cutting a 1940s gangsta suit, he puts on a charismatic live show. My favourite clip of Mouse is from 1982's Sunsplash festival - his 6ft-6" self being ground by a 5ft-something dancer in full-length golden ballgown glory.
Unfortunately this lewd behaviour is getting Mouse (aka Ripton Joseph Hylton) in trouble. Eek was due to appear in US court last April on kidnapping and rape charges, but missed the date due to his cancelled flight from volcanic-ash-mayhem in Europe. There are some interesting comments following the article on Virginia State news website hamptonroads.com. According to one reader, the 23 year old woman accusing Mouse left the hotel of her own accord the following morning (i.e she was there willingly, not kidnapped). This shebang comes two years after Mouse was charged with kidnapping, second degree rape and coke posession. Oh dear.
'I'm Mouse, you know? I'm Mouse, so I can change my style any time. There's different reggae now...hip-hop, dance, regular reggae. Just like Eek-A-Mouse. I'm also unique, you know? Different.'
Wah Do Dem is still a killer classic, despite whatever Mouse has been up to since hitting his 50s. It came out on a VP Records 'Junjo' Lawes tribute compilation Volcano Eruption released in February this year.
Lady Acroline
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