Kidd 'Higher Level' Walker of Lionheart Sound in Virginia brought the 'Good 2 Go' Tour to The Norva, in Norfolk, VA on the night of Tuesday, March 9th and personally, I was disappointed with the show but it was well supported and the BET & MTV fans seemed to enjoy it. 

Born O'Neil Bryan, Elephant Man who came up under the tutelage of Bounty Killer and co-founded 'The Scare Dem Crew' (an entertainment posse whose garish clothes and outlandish hair styles made them stand out in the dancehall fraternity), is the most hype entertainer in dancehall right now.  Elephant Man performs the latest dance moves and the world dances along with him but he needs to remember that true dancehall fans need more than just the dance moves, bring on the real Ele'!  

The real Ele' would have substance not just the dance moves, don't be mistaken, the dancing was off the chain and his dancers really got the crowd going but this was not the 'energy god' that climbs every post in sight and lifts the roof off buildings, this was Elephant 'Busta Rhymes' Man, a show totally orchestrated for the commercial audience and not for the true diehard dancehall fans.  In all fairness, 'The Norva' has a small stage so it was'nt a venue where he could give the full hundred.  Ele' is also on the last leg of his tour and to those who have seen him fresh, we could see the tiredness.  

Elephant Man has brought the dancing back into dancehall and he has been very instrumental in the world embracing the culture and he gave the patrons the dances, and had the entire audience participating, with his 'Pon Di River' 'Signal The Plane’, ‘Parachute’, ‘Chaplin’ ‘Gi Dem A Box’, Gi Dem A Whip’ ‘Fan Dem Off!’ 'Mad Sick Head Nuh Good’ he had the fans roaring!  He performed most of the tracks off his new album 'Good 2 Go' (VP/Atlantic) and the crowd loved the tracks. 

Princess Ann: I'm not an Elephant Man fan but I thoroughly enjoyed the show!  He had me going, there was not a lot of bad man talk, he tried to sing a nice song (We Are The World) which was sweet and although he is not a singer, it was the thought that counts!  I felt that his entourage was too much, they opened up for him and couldn't carry a tune!  Their rapping was totally off and Elephant should never let them on stage before him.

All in all, the show was very well supported, the fans came out and showed Elephant Man lots of love.  He promised them that they would receive more than their monies worth and he did give them an eyeful when he asked for '2 big girls' to come on stage with him!

Yup he and Kip Rich tried to handle the girls.... Can we say "mad sick, head nuh good"!!! 

Early juggling was by the Hot 102.1fm/107.9fm crew and DJ Baby Drew and the crew really did an excellent job of warming up the crowd and getting them ready for the show!

Many thanks to Kidd Walker for allowing the Virginia Beach Carnival Costume Committee to model a few of the costumes which will be showcased at the Virginia Beach Carnival on May 7th, 2004.  Log onto the link below to order your costume!!

www.virginiabeachcarnival.com