Skillibeng’s original Whap Whap was released a month ago to mixed reviews in dancehall circles including Tu Lox who chastised the rising artists. The song however quickly went to number 1 on World Music Views YouTube chart on March 18.
Comments also came from many persons including Wayne Chen, who posted on twitter a link to the music video for Whap Whap with the caption, “Skillibeng in Trinidad. Not what the architects of CARICOM Single Market & Economy (CSME) had in mind. But here we are, in need of a conversation.”
Comments under his post went as far as calling the song “garbage.”
However it seems, what is considered garbage in Jamaica is treasure to others as the elementary bop has since found favor in the overseas markets. Skillibeng set sail a few weeks ago to the UK for his first tour outside of Jamaica and was warmly received at the 02 Arena where he had standing ovations and sold out shows.
#Skillibeng sold out show in UK standing ovation from Fans 🔥🔥🔥 pic.twitter.com/6tVEVCF5LI
— DANCEHALLBLOCKJA (@dancehallblock) April 3, 2022
Fellow DJ Konshens came to his defense after seeing highlights of the UK performance and tweeted, “Watching skillibeng UK clips.. Looking forward to hearing from all the JAMAICAN media ppl blogs and personalities who ridiculed and counted him out.”
The RCA Records release, “Whap Whap” is currently charting in over 20 Caribbean nations including Jamaica, at the same time rapper Soulja Boy A.K.A Big Draco posts a short clip of himself miming Whap Whap in front of a yellow Mercedes Coupe for his 2.1 M TikTok followers yesterday.
Hip hop embracing @skillibeng Whap Whap pic.twitter.com/Z7uwRs4edB
— WMV (@worldmusicviews) May 2, 2022
A group of US soldiers also posted a humorous rendition.
Skillibeng might be taking over the world pic.twitter.com/hWLXxuayth
— WMV (@worldmusicviews) May 2, 2022
In total Whap Whap has 64 thousand videos and 14 million streams on TikTok and the music video has surpassed 7 million views on YouTube streams. Among the hip hop acts to make remixes include NBA Young Boy and Fivio Foreign.
Last October, music producer Johnny Wonder said that Skillibeng’s entry into music will bridge the gap between Hip Hop and dancehall.
Skillibeng dropped his second album Crocodile Teeth to disappointing sales and reviews last October. His strategy of punchline gun talk is yet to prove purchasing commitment from fans but since the “Brick Pon Brick” artist came on the scene a few years ago he has scored several international features with his catchy, slow rhymes including a Crocodile Teeth remix with Nicki Minaj that gave him a Hot 100 debut.
Bobby Shmurda and platinum selling British rapper, dancehall DJ Stefflon Don have used his slangs and punchlines for their own songs. Minaj’s remix helped to score a Billboard hot 100 chart hit peaking at 100.
