We created Chik-V dance. Group seeks credit for new trend

Local dancer, producer and recording artiste Baby Lawd, wants credit for creating the Chikungunya dance move and song.

According to the artiste who hails from Arnett Gardens, St Andrew, he created the dance and song over three weeks ago and because of its popularity online other recording artistes have decided to capitalise on it.

Baby Lawd says he and his dance group Tuff-A-Lie dancers, deserve their credit for starting the Chikungunya dance craze, however their intentions is not to start a rift with any recording artistes or dancers.

"We nuh care if other people wah duh di dance and mek song. But wi just want the people dem know sey a we create it, everywhere wi guh people a tell wi sey dem hear the likkle youth (Wayne J) song. But what we a use and capture the people is that we have the chicken sample in our rhythm. So it come een like the chicken a deejay wid wi and mi nah ask if ours a di best song," Baby Lawd said.

More connections

He said the other artistes who have released Chikungunya songs have more connections within the music industry, which is causing them to benefit from the concept more than the original creators.

"Dem have producing link so people a guh hear dem song more. But Jamaica a we a di real originator of Chikungunya dance, if you go on YouTube you will see me in the middle of New Kingston a duh the dance and write it up. Mi gone over 100,000 views and on Facebook over 5,000 shares. Mi hear a lot o people with this 'gunya' song and mi know how Jamaica people stay suh dem a guh follow. But a we a di real thing and as yu hear our song yu a guh realise sey it a di real thing because ours just different," Baby Lawd said.

Baby Lawd and The Tuff-A-Lie dancers disclosed that they decided to approach The STAR because they realised that other persons were getting the credit for the creation of the Chikungunya dance and song. A music video will be released for the song in coming weeks and the official single will be distributed by Hapilos on the 15th of October.

"A we build the dance nuhbody cyah run wid it. Tuff-A-Lie dancers from early September," dance group member Andre Walters concluded. To hear Baby Lawd's effort music lovers can search for Baby Lawd ChickunGunya onsoundcloud.com.

Other artistes who have released songs called Chikungunya in recent times are Wayne J and Beenie Man featuring the Astronauts.

Up-and-coming recording artiste Wayne J was recently featured on a popular television program for his effort also called Chikungunya.

Currently co-signed by Laing of Supreme Promotions, the artiste told the media that they decided to record the single because of the popularity and severity of the Chikungunya virus. Produced by Ikation Records, the single is doing rounds on local radio. Wayne J is a student of Pembroke Hall High School in St Andrew.