Jamaican Dancehall Signs

13.11.2012

Hand-painted Jamaican dancehall signs on a wooden wall, including Stone Love, Fire 2001 and Up To Di Time

One for lovers of wonky DIY design and/or dancehall, Jamaican Dancehall Signs is the first book published by NYC yard-food eatery, record shop and radio station, Miss Lily’s. Documenting the vibrant homespun signage acting as promotion for the many dances that take place on the island every week, the book presents choice cuts from the collection of Jamaican film producer Maxine Walters. Walters has been collecting the signs for over a decade and has amassed 1,500+ over the years.

Whilst the collection is first and foremost a visual treasure trove, anyone who enjoys the ever-shifting and colourful word-play of dancehall, and Jamaican patois in general, will find something to smile at here.

Friend of Oi Polloi and Pica~Post contributor Kelly Angood was over in NY recently, so we asked her to get us some snaps of the signs whilst they were on display in-store.

Supposedly the patties were pretty good too (“THE BEST”, in fact).

Black and cream dancehall sign for Guinness Fully Loaded, Sunday July 29th 2001, Ft. Clarence Beach, rain or shine

Red, green and yellow sign for Reggae Super Star King Yellowman live in concert at The Jungle, Friday 28 November

Hand-painted black sign for Wizzy presents Music Is The Only Enjoyment, with Crystal Flex at Cool Rock Jerk Centre

Six painted dancehall signs on a white wall, including East Fest 2001, Smile Jamaica, Pon de River and Birthnight Bash

Diners at Miss Lily's in New York beneath a wall of hand-painted dancehall signs and a paper pendant lamp

Miss Lily's shopfront in New York, yellow signs over the windows advertising jerk chicken, roti, cakes and hot patties

A half-eaten green patty in a paper bag, held over a sunlit pavement beside black and white Nike trainers

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