Dancehall icon Elephant Man delivered another high-energy performance at Dream Weekend on August 1, entertaining fans with the explosive stage presence that has made him one of Jamaica’s most recognizable entertainers.
However, the veteran artiste has found himself at the centre of controversy after a moment from his performance went viral on social media, with many users criticizing his actions toward a cameraman on stage.
In a video circulating online, Elephant Man can be seen performing when he walks over toward a cameraman who was capturing footage of the show. The “Energy God” then pushes the cameraman, causing the man to fall to the ground.
The cameraman appeared visibly upset after the incident, displaying an angry and displeased expression before getting up and leaving the stage area.
Elephant Man then shouted, “Yuh bruk yuh cyaa sue mi, yuh p****hole yuh,” suggesting that the cameraman could not afford to take legal action against him. He also added, “Bruk like dawg, wul a wi bruk.”
While the moment may have been intended as part of Elephant Man’s usual comedic and unpredictable stage antics, many social media users did not find the exchange entertaining.
Instead, several people described the incident as “disrespectful,” “distasteful,” and “disgusting,” arguing that the cameraman was simply doing his job.
Others questioned whether the action crossed a line, noting that performers have a responsibility to respect the production team members who help bring events to life.
Despite the controversy, Elephant Man’s performance at Dream Weekend was praised by many fans who highlighted his ability to maintain his energy and command a crowd after decades in dancehall.
Known for his energetic dancing, animated personality, and hit songs such as “Pon Di River, Pon Di Bank,” and “Signal Di Plane,” Elephant Man remains one of the genre’s most influential performers.
The artiste, whose real name is O’Neil Bryan, has been a major figure in dancehall since the late 1990s and earned the nickname “Energy God” because of his nonstop movement and high-impact performances.
As the video continues to circulate online, the debate surrounding the incident has shifted attention from Elephant Man’s Dream Weekend performance to questions about stage behaviour and how entertainers interact with event staff.
