Art And Life (Edited)

ART & LIFE won the 2001 Grammy Award for Best Reggae Album.

ART & LIFE is the major-label debut from Beenie Man, long a staple of the dancehall scene. Though die-hard fans had feared that the move to a more mainstream label might result in a softening of Beenie Man's sound, ART & LIFE stays true to the powerful sound-system lyrical style that made Beenie Man an underground success. By calling upon frequently sampled beats like Naughty By Nature's "O.P.P." ("Love Me Now") and the Staple Singers' "I'll Take You There" ("I Got a Date"), Beenie Man is able to produce a sound that is at once hard-edged and nostalgic. These 14 tracks range from the Waterhouse, Jamaica-styled title track to the Rio De Janeiro-feel of "Tumble." Guest spots from Mya, Ernie Ranglin, and Wyclef Jean add more strength and familiarity to this exciting mix.