The old guard and the new blood are clashing. Dancehall veteran King Michael recently ruffled some feathers when he declared that today’s young artists, while talented, are missing the "message and catchy phrases" of true dancehall. The rising star of the genre, Vyper Ranking, wasn't about to let that slide.
He fired back, his frustration palpable. "First of all, I don’t even consider King Michael a dancehall artist," Vyper said, dismissing the veteran's critique with a wave of his hand. "If he recognizes me, that's all that matters. I am dancehall because I worked for it." Vyper Ranking wasn't just defending his music; he was defending his place in the scene, a spot he feels he earned through tireless effort.
He took it a step further, arguing that his reputation speaks for itself. "I’ve never mentioned King Michael as a dancehall artist in Uganda," he stated. "And no one else has, either." To drive the point home, he mentioned a recent visit from Jamaican star Dexta Daps, who specifically sought him out. "He wanted to link up with me," Vyper explained, a sense of pride in his voice. "So, I don't know what kind of music King Michael even does."
Vyper Ranking's words made it clear: he sees himself as the future, a voice validated not just by local fans, but by the genre's international originators.