Govana’s “Legacy” proves he is as talented as they come in today’s dancehall scene

For all of the weeping and gnashing of teeth that reggae fans (myself included) have done regarding the current state of dancehall, one thing has become Aquafina clear, IT’S GOING NOWHERE!

I’ve done my fair share of complaining that the game isn’t what it used to be back in what probably is the consensus preeminent time frame for dancehall music, the 90’s.

While I long for the days of my long-shuttered reggae club, The Upper Deck here in Philadelphia, where I fell in love with the genre listening to selectas spin classic Penthouse riddims, a new generation of artists have staked their claim to fame, some becoming mega-stars in their own right.

The Vybz Kartels, Alkalines, and Shenseeas have replaced the Beenies, Bountys and Lady Saws in the dances and have no design on giving way to the legends they supplanted. Govana, one of the leaders of the new school has blessed the masses with his sophomore effort Legacy.

Hailing from Spanish Town, Govi, as he’s often referred to in the dance, wastes no time kicking things off in top toasting form on the album’s opener, Letter. Over an ominous track, backed by a haunting chorus, it’s just that. A self-penned mantra that no matter what, he stands on business.

Popcaan, quickly lends an assist on the next track, Saved by a Psalm. He and Govana’s voices play off each other to nice effect, and any time you can get a co-sign by “The Unruly Boss” it’s an instant boost to credibility. Not that Govi needs much help to begin with as he’s fortunate to be the beneficiary of some great production throughout this effort.

Subsequent bangers, Four Storey, the beautiful, yet adult-rated Like You, and the body moving Walmartt, all are prime candidates to be in heavy rotation on dancehall playlists this summer. His hit Pull Over featuring the stunning Jada Kingdom has already set the tone as the initial single off the album, and was ironically my very first intro to his music. In short, color me impressed.

Is Legacy perfect? No, as with many dancehall albums these days, the overt slackness can be a little grating at times and the frenetic pace slows a little right in the meat of the album with Gyal List and on Dat Mi Seh, despite the presence of Skeng, another heavy hitter in the game. This slight hiccup doesn’t diminish the overall heat, however, and if one had any doubt about the devotion to the craft by current artists, a listen to the album closer My Will, quickly dispels any talk of watering down the product.

Touching the listener’s heart, the track features his kids at the end of the song, (both pictured on the cover) giving a personal message to their dad about what he means to them and professing their absolute love to him. Some might consider such a move pandering but after a full helping of Govana’s artistry, it’s evident that he is as talented as they come.

In full disclosure, it was honestly refreshing to  bring joy to the old man in me, who far too often is caught up in the vivid recollections of the Upper Deck. Ah…but as Beenie Man himself once echoed over that amazing sound system Memories, don’t live like people do……

By Yankee Nupe.