Eek-A-Mouse Vs. The Marley Family
This likely won't be news to any of you folks in JA, but Eek-A-Mouse has a long-running dispute with the Marley family.
🥊 The Root Of The Dispute 🌱
🤵 Khaki Suit 🎙️
I'm not a huge fan of Eek-A-Mouse, Bounty Killer, or Damian Marley, so I only became aware of this song through the news of the Marley & Eek-A-Mouse dispute several years ago.
So, have a quick listen to understand what the focal point of this quarrel is, the song "Khaki Suit" by Damian Marley.
Notice there is no mention of Eek-A-Mouse in the track intro, only Bounty Killer lets you know he's on track. Right off the bat it makes me wonder if this is even the "original recording," although I've never heard Eek discuss whether or not he originally had an intro on the tune.
💰 Where's The Loot For The Suit? 🤷
Okay, you've heard the track "Khaki Suit," now check out this interview with Eek-A-Mouse to see how he frames the situation. If you don't have time to watch this in full, fast forward to 1:00 and/or I will summarize things below.
Eek-A-Mouse recorded "Khaki Suit" on the "Welcome to Jamrock" album with Bounty Killer, and Eek-A-Mouse stated he was given $4,000 USD as "pocket money". He quoted Damian as saying, "If the song hit, we give yuh six figures."
One thing Eek-A-Mouse says that can't be disputed is the success of the single "Khaki Suit" and the album "Welcome To Jamrock." The ultimate thing that this all boils down to is that Eek wasn't given six figures when the song became a hit.
He mentions in the above video, that upon calling to check on his money, he was refused it. Some more time went by, and while he Eek was in Brazil, he said Ziggy Marley said flew down and told Brazilian promoters not to work with him, that he was "banned from reggae".
🚫 Banned From Reggae 🙅♂️
Eek-A-Mouse ultimately responded in the most Jamaican dancehall artist way possible, by recording a diss track. The title of the song "Marley Boys Banned Me From Reggae," leaves no mystery as to what the song is about.
👉 You Be The Judge 👨⚖️
Eek-A-Mouse isn't the most mentally stable person, in fact he's know for his wild style, but surely if there was proof he was paid more than $4,000 for his work on the track, the Marleys would've made that public information.
As these things go, the truth is usually somewhere in the middle. Eek-A-Mouse doesn't have the squeakiest clean of histories either, so I'm far from taking sides on this issue, just reporting.
One thing is for sure, the Marley name and family are mow as corporate as Wal-Mart and Amazon these days, so it doesn't surprise me there may be some greed that's overtaken this family, possibly leading to some poor life choices.
🙏 THANKS FOR READING 🙏
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That's interesting info. I was never into Eek or Damian. I never really liked Ziggy until David came out with Spirit of Music. Still one of my favorites to this day. As far as the dispute, it's hard to take sides without all the facts. 😁👍
I think the one thing that's true is he remains unpaid. The Marleys would've come forward with evidence of payment had they paid up.
If you've ever visited Jamaica and listened to local television and radio, they report on the gossip and news of reggae artists just like the USA reports on Hollywood drama.
It is quite entertaining at times, especially feuds between various artists.
!ENGAGE 20
ENGAGEtokens.As cooperate as walmart indeed. Can't blame them though. Have mek use of what was given and make sure generations are taken care of in Babylon system. Eak should have done up a contract, that is the problem with the music biz in JA, too much word contract. Interestingly Eak a mouse used to tour Japan a lot.
https://www.worldreggaenews.com/article.php?category_id=1&article_id=5423
Yeah, can't believe Eek didn't make some kind of written agreement, especially when dealing with the Marleys. This may be proof of his mental instability, because I even I would find a lawyer before making any deals with the Marleys.
I didn't know Eek was ever big in Japan, but I know the Japanese have some unique tastes when it comes to reggae. Weren't the Twinkle Brothers big there for a number of years way back when?
!ENGAGE 30
ENGAGEtokens.I don't know much about the dispute but I have fond memories of Eek A mouse, especially from when I first met Jamie. And I loved Welcome to Jamrock. Love to see reggae at all on HIVE, regardless of any politics
I have fond memories of Eek-A-Mouse in years past too. Something has definitely changed about his character in the last 10 years, perhaps mental stability, but he is definitely a different person now.
More reggae on the Hive though, big up @dmilliz for resurrecting things, the sky is the limit.
!ENGAGE 20
ENGAGEtokens.Im assuming theres more to the beef than just that. Saying he "isnt the most mentally stable person" is probably a nice way of saying it. The guy fled the US after being charged with rape. Probably a bad sign. Good music. A friend said he met him once after a show and Eek smoked all his weed. I thought that was funny, its not like my friend was mad.
Eek is a character for sure, I didn't mention the rape allegations because it isn't connected to the Marley story in any way. He could be guilty or innocent of that and still get stiffed by the Marleys regardless.
Wonder if Eek smoked all your friend's weed because he was in a non-friendly state and too scared to carry. Either way, don't expect ego-driven Caribbean personalities to conserve your resources. I've had my kindness taken advantage of so many times in the Caribbean that I can't even remember.
!ENGAGE 30
It was Southern California before any major legalization so it could just be he wasnt able to get any easily enough but from what I've learned from local venue owners, the musicians can do what they want within reason, so smoking weed and having it is reasonable, but the ticket holders have to stay within the law. At least in the sense of what the local PD were turning a blind eye to. Yeah the rape allegations do not have anything to do with Marley. I just mentioned it since him running from it instead of trying to dismiss it adds to him being a shady character. Decent music sometimes at least.
ENGAGEtokens.What musicians/groups do you listen to?
Akae Beka / Midnite makes up the 90% of the music that enters my ears. I hate to say it, but there is "Vaughn Benjamin" and then there is reggae. I can't even listen to a casual reggae song after a Vaughn tune because I'm usually too deep in thought and reflection.
Outside of Akae Beka / Midnite, hmmm, I like Linton Kwesi Johnson, Alika y Nueva Alianza, Takana Zion and Dezarie. Those are probably all of my main go-to bands/singers.