Macka-Toots video refreshing

Macka Diamond and Toots Hibbert teamed up on Wednesday for the video shoot of Don’t Bother Me, which is featured on Toots’ Grammy nominated album Light Your Light.

The video was shot in Kingston at the home of Bridget Brown who is the owner of Bridget Sandals. The shoot which was scheduled to start at six in the evening eventually started at nearly 9:00 p.m.

The collaboration seems to be an unusual one as Macka is known for her hard-core dancehall lyrics, while Toots is known for his cool ska and reggae. However, they both feel that the song was a good one as they complimented each other. The song is about two persons who are in love and are determined to stay together despite the criticisms they face.

“He (Toots) always wanted to do a collaboration with me. He wanted to do a collaboration with a female because it was the first time in his career,” said an excited Macka Diamond.

Macka credits the song as one which has international appeal. She says it has a mixture of dancehall as well as an African sound.

Due to the nature of the song its directors, Mahrie Brusse and Asha McHail, created a video that was representative of the song’s sound. In the video there are two rooms; one with a dancehall vibe in which all the extras are dressed in white. In this section they play dominoes and lounge around while two dancers perform dancehall moves. In the other room the extras are dressed in colourful clothing, while two dancers are dressed in African garb.

Macka was also dressed in an African garb that was designed by Marva Gillespie who also designed the African wear for the dancers. The dances were choreographed by Kameica Reid from Dance Theatre Xaymaca which is also the hub for the dancers.

During the shoot Macka used the opportunity to give those in attendance a taste of ‘hot wuk’ while she followed the camera. Toots also ‘dropped’ his feet as he did a little ska to the beat of the song.

Those involved in the project say they were pleased with the way in which the video shoot was progressing.

“Nice collaboration. Refreshing change from the traditional style of music. It shows how far the music can reach. It shows the wide scope of dancehall and that it can be fused with anything,” said the producer, Tsehi Scott.

Source: JamaicaStar