Roots Archives Forum

Lionel, what is the translation of "Big Bout Ya"? there was one a VHS released under this name a dance of course.. but wondered what the english translation is...?

I guess it means something like Wicked dance/very good dance...or like a big clash(eg.bout AKA fight) am i right?

@bwoyrough: 'Big Bout Yah' I guess would literally translate to 'Big About (or around) Here' as in a big time sound or dj or singer or whatever. Me big bout yah, would mean like: around here I'm a big timer, etc. I could be wrong, as I'm not Jamaican, but I've heard the phrase so often in songs I have a feeling for what it is. It's basically a bragging statement. Someone correct me if I'm wrong.

will be interested to get a Jamaican's translation, i wondered if Bout was either meaning "about" or a "bout" as in a round of boxing or a fight, which would be used when talking about a sound clash.
I think the translation of the phrase will be similar wherever the word bout comes from, would be interesting to know whether it is "about" or "bout" eg. fight.

I tend to think it refers to Fight/Clash/Match, like Big Fight yah, hope someone can confirm 100%...

hmmm, well since I often hear djs using the phrase to describe themselves or others, I doubt it refers to a 'bout as in a fight. One thing comes to mind. the back cover of Little John True Confession lp where if I remember right the Limonius art has him pointing to himself, with the caption 'big 'bout yah'

Well i think Big Bout ya...means Big About Here. Definitely heard a few yard man use it

I was informed that "sleng teng" was an electronically generated beat in which was first introduced to reggea with "under mi sleng teng", by Wayne Smith, clearly he is mentioning marijuana but I believe it is marijuana under a digital instrumental.

Yeh Shinan i think your right and with the Little John LP cover thing it points to it meaning 'Big About Here'

I read somewhere that "sleng teng" means the thing he is slinging (sling thing), what he is selling/dealing

So he is saying he is getting high on what he is suppoed to be selling.

And it is obviously a reference to Barrington Levy's "Under Mi Sensi"

I believe the riddim is just called sleng teng because that was the first song to use it, so the use of the words "sleng teng" in the song are not talking about the riddim, but something different

Oops, double post sorry, mods please delete this one

According to a discussion between prince jazzbo & me last night , I asked him about the meaning of palaving spree.then the reply " means out on the street a show off .. Big bout ya !!

Lionel