Veteran dancehall artiste General B has dismissed claims that his Monster Hemphigher group's music talents are far behind their days of glory.

The deejay, who is currently working on a 18-track solo album, believes that despite a series of bad performances, especially at Sting 2008 and Follow Di Arrow earlier this year, the group still remains relevant in the business.

remained impressive

The group, which also includes Roundhead and vocalist Ghost, burst on to the music scene in the mid-1990s and remained impressive throughout that decade with songs like Stop That Train and Weed Is Life.

However, things have slowed significantly for the trio since the turn of the new millennium. Their appeal was also overshadowed by the emergence of other music groups like Scare Dem Crew, Voicemail and then singing group ARP, which included Daville.

It was also rumoured that the members were forced to seek solo careers as the attention drifted from them.

renewed energy

A name change to Monster Hemphigher (from Monster Shock Crew), which they took on last year, is just one indication General B has used to justify his claim that the group has come back on the scene with renewed energy.

"We get mature now, we are more aware of situations. As the name suggests it's Hemphigher. We coming from a shock and now we are building an empire," said the deejay, who is a father of three (Cardeena, Davier and Dashawn).

The unfortunate episodes at Sting and Follow Di Arrow were just another downfall for the group, and that worsened when duo Twin of Twins mimicked them on their 'Stir It Up vol. 8, Trail and Crosses' social commentary mixtape.

But, General B reiterated that it's because of the group's relevance in dancehall music why people would want to use them to get a hype.

"To me, we are like underground artistes. Our names are so effective and relevant that a man will always want to have a story about us," he told THE STAR.

In 1998, they signed a four-year advertising deal with Bigga Soda to embellish the product. The move was a success for both parties and they were later awarded a renewed contract for another three years.

General B is now hoping that the group can find back it's original form. However, he's, in the meantime, promoting some new singles, many of which are focused directly at other dancehall artistes in the business.

"You always going to have ups and downs. I'm here since 1992. So, I know the business and Monster Hemphigher is still here.

"Right now I have some singles (Style Dem, Proactive and Beat It like A Drum) promoting, which I did for certain artistes," he said.