Entertainment

Leftside and Esco's BELLY BUSTER

Duo Leftside and Esco. Their single Tuck In Yuh Belly is raising the ire of some women in the dancehall who feel the lyrics are offensive to women with ample bellies. - file

"From yu know yu bellly no bang,

And yu know seh yu look good inna yu thong..."

Those words from the Leftside and Esco track Tuck In Yuh Belly evoke war cries from big bellied women.

The tune, produced on their 'throwback giggy' rhythm, squarely tackles the woman with the waistline bulge, challenging her to lose the 'bang' so she can 'look good in her thong' and wear other summer clothes.

Leftside and Esco say it is all in good fun, but some women are not amused. Others have taken it lightly, while a few have actually taken more pride in the ripples around the waistline.

Degrading

"I think it is degrading to us women, because sometimes some women can't get rid of the belly for one reason or another," stated Keisha, a patron at a recent session where the tune was played.

"Even though they do it for fun, sometimes we feel a way, because sometimes they do operations and things like that, and the belly can't get smaller, or sometimes it just doesn't get smaller from childbirth", she said.

Strange enough, the tune is a sure hit at the sessions even where women with the bulges turn up. As recently as this past weekend, DJ Sunshine toyed around on stage with the topic at Lady Saw's birthday party in Ocho Rios.

Members of the audience defended their bulge.

"A my own, mi bring mi pickney and proud a it," boasted one 'bulger'. Another close to her grabbed her stomach and rubbed it in defiance of the tune's sentiments. "Who nuh like it work wid it," she stated.

Esco of the duo told THE STAR recently that they never intended to stir anything up with the track.

Fitness challenge

"It's all about a fitness challenge for women," he said. "They challenge us with tunes like 'Done Already' and seh we weak, and we pop dung, so we just issued a challenge too," he added.

"It's all love, fun and joy. It's not a direct shot at women in general. It is just about taking care of yourself."

They say the reactions to the song have been varied.

"Most people tell us that the tune wicked still. One and two females actually approach us though to ask what we really mean, if is a joke thing or what."

In his view, both he and Leftside are known for their more jovial contributions to the dancehall, so no one should see it as an attack on them.

"Our part of the artistry is to represent a more jovial side of the dancehall. We need a jovial side to the dancehall cause it get too serious sometimes with the topics. That is just what we doing."

The two told THE STAR that the accompanying music video for the track is to be released this week, and should feature a humorous disclaimer for those who may want to take it too seriously.