Gwan by Kemikal

Kemikal, Equiknoxx’s enigmatic MC combines slackness with social justice over a playful yet tough riddim from Gavsborg.

‘Gwan’ is girl power, Kingston-style

Gal power from the man dem

‘Gwan’ started out as a freestyle interlude from ​the film ‘Eternal Children’​ (directed by Eóin MacManus & Neirin Jones, and also the name of Equiknoxx’s 2019 album). Full of oddball twists and turns, the film is a visual medley of the record and was written collaboratively with the group. Some of the film’s most unexpected moments of humor come from Kemikal, Equiknoxx’s enigmatic deejay/MC, who’s eccentric off-the-cuff impersonations of everyone from Mega Banton to Flava Flav punctuate performances of his own material.

Scenes from one of Kingston’s many rowdy late night dances inspired Kemikal’s ​‘don’t watch the pum’​ lyric. Contempt for ‘peeping toms’ or ’the male gaze’ could seem unlikely within dancehall but ‘Gwan’ says ​freedom of female expression is a must​.

No social media body shaming round yah so!

What began as a short skit for the film morphed into ‘Gwan’, with Kemikal voicing a rhythm built by his Equiknoxx co-conspirator Gavsborg. One for the ravers and clavers, ‘Gwan’ is a throwback to the happy times of dancehall when ‘dem bow’ rhythms met sub-folk melodies at West Kingston’s ultimate early noughties rave: ‘Passa Passa’.

The tune is complemented by cut & paste cover art hand-stamped by Gavsborg.

Kemikal is Equiknoxx’s enigmatic MC.

He has been part of
the crew since the 2010’s.

Imagine New York’s Big Pun mixed with Kingston’s Tiger and you're close.