Elephant Man (musician)

Infobox musical artist


Name = Elephant Man
Landscape = No
Background = solo_singer
Birth_name = O' Neil Bryan
Alias = The Energy God, Ele
Born = birth date and age|1975|9|11
Died =
Origin = Kingston, Jamaica
Instrument =
Genre = Reggae/Dancehall
Occupation = Singer
Years_active = 1997–present
Label = Bad Boy/Atlantic Records
VP Records
Greensleeves Records
Associated_acts = Scare Dem Crew
Alliance
Kathleen Emperatriz de Luna
URL = [http://www.elephant-man.net/ www.elephant-man.net]
Current_members =
Past_members =
Notable_instruments =

Elephant Man, also known as the Energy God, (born O'Neil Bryan on September 11, 1975, in Kingston, Jamaica) is a dancehall musician.

Career

His stagename stemmed from his large ears, which led to the nickname Dumbo in his youth. Ele started out his musical career as a member of the Scare Dem Crew, later continuing as a solo artist. He was later characterized for several trademarks, such as his dyed yellow-orange hair, his unique low-key voice, and his stage performance, which included jumping and running, or even climbing on stage props and monitors. His acoustic trademark is marked by a light lisp.

The first international recognition came when Elephant Man and Puma settled a contract for using his single "All Out" for its Olympics commercial campaign in 2004.

Elephant Man also had a song called "Willie Bounce" that appeared on several Mixtapes in early 2006. It borrowed the first few bars from I Will Survive by Gloria Gaynor.

Recently, the Jamaican star signed with New York-based label Bad Boy Records and released "Let's Get Physical" on November 6,2007. The first single is called "Five-O" and features Wyclef Jean. Another track on the album will feature Diddy and Busta Rhymes, and it was produced by Cipha Sounds and Solitair. [ [http://www.hiphopcanada.com/_site/entertainment/interviews/ent_int366.php HipHopCanada.com :: Featured Artist: Solitair - April 5th 2007 ] ]

Most commonly, songs by Elephant Man are found on various "Riddim Driven" albums by VP Records and Greensleeves Records’s Rhythm Album series. He performs on popular riddims such as "Diwali," "Coolie," "Stepz," and "Bubble Up," among others.

The dance Elephant Man created for his song No Linga, was danced by Usain Bolt at the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing after winning the gold medal and breaking a world record in the 200 meter sprint.

Controversy

Homophobia

Elephant Man has been criticised for his lyrics calling for violence against gay people. In 2003 British LBGT group OutRage! called for the arrest and prosecution of several dancehall stars including Elephant Man, Bounty Killer, and Beenie Man for violation of hate crimes statutes, however a record company gag and agreement with gay rights groups in the U.K. has allowed him to remain free. [ [http://www.365gay.com/NewsContent/091703tatchellRap.htm Sorry ] ]

Discography

Albums

* 2000: "Comin 4 U"
* 2001: "Log On"
* 2002: "Higher Level"
* 2003: "Good 2 Go"
* 2005: "Ova Di Wall" (unreleased)
* 2008: "Let's Get Physical"
* 2008: "Dip Again

Singles

As a featured guest

Appearances

The following is a list of songs Elephant Man appears with other artists, usually remixes:
* "All Nite (Don't Stop)" (So So Def Remix) by Janet Jackson feat. Elephant Man
* "Are You Feelin' It?" by the Teddybears feat. Elephant Man; "Soft Machine"
* "Get Low (Remix)" by Lil Jon & The Eastside Boyz feat. Ying Yang Twins, Busta Rhymes, & Elephant Man; "Part II"
* "Pon de Replay (Remix)" by Rihanna feat. Elephant Man; "Music of the Sun"
* "Reggae Bump Bump" by R. Kelly feat. Elephant Man; ""
* "Shake (Remix)" by Ying Yang Twins feat. Pitbull & Elephant Man; "Money Is Still A Major Issue"
* "Switch (Reggae Remix)" by Will Smith feat. Elephant Man; "Lost & Found"
* "U Sexy Girl" by Fatman Scoop feat. Elephant Man & Jabba; "U Sexy Girl"
* "What U Gon' Do (Jamaican Remix)" by Lil Jon & The Eastside Boyz feat. Elephant Man & Lady Saw; "Crunk Juice"
* "Shake That Booty (Krumpa Remix)" by David Banner feat. Elephant Man; "Certified"
* "Shake Baby Shake (Seeed Remix)" by Seeed feat. Elephant Man; "What You Deserve Is What You Get - EP"
* "Whine Up" by Kat DeLuna feat. Elephant Man; "9 Lives"
* "Robbery (Remix)" by Killah Priest feat. Elephant Man & Savoy (Black August)
* "Get Wild (Bonus Track)" by Lil Skeeter feat. Elephant Man; "Midwest Mastermind"
* "China Wine" by Sun feat. Wyclef Jean, Elephant Man, and Tony Matterhorn
* "Throw Your Hands Up" by Teddybears STHLM feat. Elephant Man and Harry Toddler of Scare Dem Crew; Rock 'n' Roll Highschool
* "Money In The Bank" (Remix) by Swizz Beatz feat. Young Jeezy, Eve & Elephant Man
* "Spin Ya Rag" by Lil Jon & DJ Ideal feat. Elephant Man; "The BME Mixtape"
* "Wall To Wall (Remix) by Chris Brown; "Wall To Wall (Single)"
* " Umbrella Remix by Rihanna feat. Elephant Man
* "Pegao (Remix)" by Wisin & Yandel feat. Elephant Man; "Caribbean Connection"
* "Latinas" by Zion & Lennox feat. Elephant Man; "Caribbean Connection"
* "Cut Dem Off Ricky Blaze feat.Tony Matterhorn & Elephant Man

References

External links

* [http://www.elephant-man.net/ Official Web Site]
* [http://www.myspace.com/elephantmandj Official Elephant Man MySpace Page]
* [http://www.badboyonline.com Bad Boy Official website]
* [http://www.realvibez.com/elephantman Realvibez.com: Elephant Man music videos]
*
* [http://www.bbc.co.uk/1xtra/realmedia/dancehall/elephant.ram Interview] April 11, 2007 on 1Xtra; 64 minutes. (RealPlayer)