Mr Lexx spills on dancehall classic ‘Cook’

Veteran dancehall star Mr Lexx has revealed that his female friend’s insistence on purchasing a meal at a fast-food chain rather than preparing a substantial meal at home inspired his 90s hit, ‘Cook’, which went on to become a nationwide sensation.

When, Mr Lexx, who then used the name Lexxus, dropped Cook in 1999, the song quickly became a dancehall phenomenon. Now, the deejay has revealed that the iconic track was born after a hungry female friend shocked him by choosing Burger King over a home-cooked meal.

The track sparked arguments in homes, laughter in dancehalls and fierce debate over whether it was playful banter or a blunt statement about what men expected from women.

The deejay says the idea came from a real-life encounter that left him grinning from ear to ear.

“We were hanging out one day and, on our way home she mentioned that she was hungry. I suggested that we stop at a supermarket and pick up some stuff to cook when we got to the house. She immediately rejected the idea and chose Burger King instead,” he recalled.

What happened next would change his career forever.

“So the little light bulb went off in my head right away, and I just started saying it to myself and smiling. She kept asking why I was smiling, and I replied ‘nutten’ with a smirk every time. The following day I went to Steelie and Clevie studio, and the rest is history.”

And history is exactly what it became as Mr Lexx struck gold with a record centred on a relatable topic, thanks largely to its unforgettable chorus:

Gal Yuh better caan cook, tink yuh deya for yuh pretty looks

Yuh waan live ah restaurant and come dunn man bank book

Cook, eh!, recipe book

Gwaan inna di kitchen cause yuh hand dem nuh nook

Yuh better cook, tink yuh deya for yuh pretty looks

Yuh waan live ah restaurant and come dunn man bank book

Cook, Eh!, recipe book

Gwaan inna di kitchen cause yuh hand dem nuh nook

Ironically, despite spending decades telling women they “betta can cook”, many fans never stopped to wonder whether the man behind the microphone could actually throw down in the kitchen himself.

According to Mr Lexx, he absolutely can.

While he admits cooking is not his favourite pastime, the entertainer insists he knows his way around a pot.

“I think I make some great curried shrimp with white rice or mashed potatoes,” he said.

The deejay added that, when necessary, he can “chef up a ting” because his hand “a nuh nook”.

Mr Lexx also revealed that he’s extremely cautious about who prepares his meals.

“I tend to be very picky with who and where I eat from.”

And, while ackee and salt fish is often considered untouchable in Jamaica’s culinary rankings, Mr Lexx has his own twist on the national favourite.

“If I’m to name one thing that I do enjoy, it would be ackee with everything else except salt fish. Meaning ackee with chicken back, corned pork, red herring, or just ackee by itself along with ground provisions.”