Ninja Man, The Star's 'Artiste of the Month', shot at The Gleaner Company, 7 North Street, on Thursday, November 23. - Andrew Smith

The month of the Ninja is here!!!! True to form, Ninja man promises to bring all his charisma to the pages of The STAR. We get up close and personal through six quick questions with the Don Gorgon.

STAR: What's your real name?

Ninja: Desmond John Balentine

STAR: How did you get the name Ninja Man?

Ninja: Kilamanjaro and Little Twitch gimme dat name. One night I had a little fight wid Little Twitch and him get more injury than me. A fren of his run mi down wid a M16 but for days him couldn't get me. A Jaro mek the two of we start talk again. Little Twitch tell mi dat mi move like a Ninja. Mi change mi name from dat, mi first name was 'Ugly Man'.

STAR: What did you want to be growing up?

Ninja: Mi did waan be just like Jimmy Cliff. Mi did watch The Harder They Come and mi did waan be a bad man but mi realise that crime don't pay.

STAR: What's the most surprising thing people don't know about you?

Ninja: If we tell yuh, it wouldn't be surprising no more.

STAR: Why are you always in full white?

Ninja: Because mi nuh have no secret, if dem see a man in full black, dem can't call mi name. White is pure, if yuh live like the colour yuh clean. Yuh haffi keep yuh soul clean like the clothes yuh wear.

STAR: What are your views on the music industry today?

Ninja: I have nutting to seh bout the DJ dem. What's going on is foolishness, people pay dem money fi go to the stage shows and dem artistes start war. Bokkle start throw and stampede start. Is time for fans to start beat the artistes, cause a nuh dem a get hurt. Dem need fi give di artiste dem one tump, stop support dem. Dance a no Vietnam. Mi nuh like the vibes of dancehall no more.

Challenge the Ninja

Ninja is challenging any deejay, upcoming or otherwise, to a verbal duel in the 'Challenge the Ninja' competition.

To register for the eliminations, call The Star today between 4 and 5 p.m. Give your name and contact number. You must be 18 years and over.