The latest single from Fixtape to have a music video, ‘Unda Dirt’, features Masicka, Tommy Lee, an animated pastor, allegorical imagery, and last but never least – Unruly Boss Popcaan, this time in a vengeful mood.
The group skillfully navigates the song’s acrimonious lyrics through fiery visuals and symbolic imagery in a video whose drop was announced spontaneously yesterday afternoon by Popcaan via Instagram with the simple descriptor, “Chubble”, and the time of release.
‘Chubble’ indeed, as the big-name collaboration smashed through the dancehall airways to sate the appetites of ravenous fans of Unruly, Genahsyde, and Sparta. Alongside scenes of hearses, graves, and the crucifix, Popcaan sings lyrics of intimidation (“Dem coulda run inna di church/ Killa we guh put dem unda dirt”) declaring his dauntless challenge of his rivals who know his “gun ah work.” These lyrics are accompanied by scenes of the pastor appearing to sprinkle dirt on the fresh graves of the group’s opponents while Masicka hovers in wait of his verse’s start.
Masicka’s delivery of lyrics detailing the consequences of life as a ‘badman’ who decides to cross this trio is relentless and descriptive, all the while keeping in calm and collected flow, characteristic of his Genah style. Lines like “Gunshot when me catch foes/ Grave ah dig, dem gyal ah lef’ rose” open the verse, immediately drawing the lines and setting the team apart from the opposition when it comes to action over talk, stating “dem just ah carry gun.”
Tommy Lee Sparta joins in particularly dark, gothic fashion, acting as an inmate doomed to the electric chair for his heinous criminal history and disregard for local ‘authority’: “Bwoy love talk, me buss me gun inna him mouth/ One inna yuh face in front ah di court house (killa)”. His vengeful relentlessness in the face of his enemies is cemented by his verse of graphic lines and use of combative repetition.
An interlude of microphone feedback ensues around halfway through the video and a deep voice shouts out “Big Bad Poppy!” and “Fixtape!” before the video’s scenes switch to a lively assembly and individual performance shots offering a different vibe and cache of visuals as the verses are repeated once more, with no artist being left outshone.
A ‘badman’ video to go ‘longside a badman tune by a group of major dancehall frontrunners? Needless to say, the die-hard notification gang was more than delighted to have new material this week, especially commending the unity of this star alliance in the genre in lieu of the early days. Likewise, we continue to appreciate the visibility of love in dancehall through artists sharing the stage to produce serious team-ups such as these. We see you, PopSkull.
Listen to the entirety of Fixtape on a streaming platform of your choice and watch the video for ‘Unda Dirt’ above this article.
