‘Uptop Boss’ used to ‘hype up’ funeral

Dancehall songs being played during f uneral processions is not a new phenomenon. From Ding Dong's 'Fling' to the Curvy Diva's 'Lifestyle', popular dancehall tracks have been used to celebrate the dead in non-traditional ways.

Up to a few years ago, persons would deem the practice as disrespectful and 'slack', as some persons believe that dancehall music should have no place at funerals.

However, based on the response to a recent video that emerged on social media, it seems the trend is becoming more acceptable. The video, which began circulating on Instagram on the weekend, shows funeral goers dancing and singing along to Uptop Boss (Bubble Yuh Body), a popular track by dancehall artiste Teejay, who is more popularly known as 'Uptop Boss'.

While the song blares from a speaker box on top of a hearse, pall-bearers can be seen marching out with the casket bearing the body of the deceased.

1,000 comments

The video, which was also posted by Teejay on his Instagram page, attracted more than 1,000 comments, most of which were positive. Some persons said that if the deceased was a dancehall fan while alive, then the celebration of that life should reflect exactly how the person lived.

"Nah listen no more sad stories, no more sad songs, a celebration of life when it's funeral time," one user wrote.

"A so funeral fi hype," another commented.

One social media user, who identified herself as a cousin of the deceased, also commented under the post, expressing her joy at Teejay's decision to repost the video.

"Yea, my cousin, RIP. Uptop Boss was your artiste, so I'm glad he reposted this video," her post read.

When THE STAR tried to get in contact with Teejay, his team said that the artiste had no comment on why he felt the need to repost the video. While he did not speak with our news team about the matter, Teejay interacted with persons as they commented on the video.

Meanwhile, Janice Young, PR specialist and a member of the Curvy Diva's team, in recalling reactions to Lifestyle being played at a funeral in 2017, agreed that people are becoming more open to the idea of dancehall music being played at funerals.

She explained that while many who engage in this practice do it to honour their loved ones who might have been dancehall lovers, they also do it for the hype and attention.

"Funerals are more about the fashion and the entertainment these days, and music is a big part of that. It's for show, to see what can garner the most attention," she said. "If you put the hot songs to the thing, it makes it 'hyper'."

She added that although the action seems to be more acceptable these days, dancehall music has been part of funerals for a long time.

"It's only when a video coming out that people realise that this is being done. But if you go to funerals, dem a play dancehall music and all kinda things heading to the graveside. A funeral procession in Jamaica is like an event. It's about the looks and the aesthetics and making the experience more memorable."