Elephant Man
Artist. Dancehall
- Active
- 1998-present
- Sunrise
- September 11 (year uncertain), Kingston, Jamaica
- Also known as
- Energy God, Ele
O'Neil Bryan performs as Elephant Man and calls himself the Energy God.
He started in the Scare Dem Crew with Boom Dandimite, Harry Toddler, and Nitty Kutchie before going solo in the late 1990s. His early records recalled his mentor Bounty Killer and Super Cat. The Miami New Times describes a lisping performer who likes "to gruffly bark radio-unfriendly lyrics over the ruggedest ragga riddims available," with an "equipment-climbing stage show"; he says he prays, focuses, and watches the crowd to judge what a show needs.
"Log On" (2002) came with its own dance and was the first of a series of records that functioned as choreography. "Pon de River, Pon de Bank" (2003) crossed over internationally and was later sampled by Beyoncé on "Get Me Bodied." Good 2 Go (2003) and Let's Get Physical (2008) collected the singles, and he recorded with a long list of American hip-hop and R&B artists through the decade.
His work also included homophobic material, which brought cancelled shows and sustained protest abroad through the 2000s; he was among the artists who signed the Reggae Compassionate Act in 2007.
He remains a live draw and continues to record.
Last updated November 5, 2026
Connections
- Stephen "Di Genius" McGregor (producer)
- Bounty Killer (mentor)
- Beenie Man (collaborator)
- Lady Saw (collaborator)
- Burro Banton (collaborator)
Notes
- The Rough Guide gives his birth as "O'Neil Bryan in 1979" and calls Seaview Gardens his home area. Steve Barrow and Peter Dalton, The Rough Guide to Reggae, 3rd ed. (London: Rough Guides, 2004), 349, 347. Wikipedia gives September 11, 1975, in Seaview Gardens. "Elephant Man (musician)," Wikipedia, accessed October 1, 2026, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elephant_Man_(musician).
- The Rough Guide calls him "the Energy God." Barrow and Dalton, Rough Guide to Reggae, 350.
- The Rough Guide says the Scare Dem Crew was "initially associated with Bounty Killer" and lists Harry Toddler, Elephant Man, Nitty Kutchie, and Boom Dandymite; it says he was releasing singles under his own name as early as 1995, including "Father God Name" for King Jammy. Barrow and Dalton, Rough Guide to Reggae, 347, 349.
- The Rough Guide says his early records recalled "his mentor Bounty Killer, and at other times Super Cat." Barrow and Dalton, Rough Guide to Reggae, 349. "Elephant Man," Miami New Times, accessed November 5, 2026, https://www.miaminewtimes.com/music/elephant-man-6346061/; Krista Henry, "Artistes Set the Stage," Jamaica Gleaner, September 8, 2006, https://old.jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20060908/ent/ent2.html.
- The Rough Guide says that "in time-honoured fashion, he's also been describing and giving instruction on the latest dance moves," and names Log On as his second album, after a popular single. Barrow and Dalton, Rough Guide to Reggae, 349-50. Wikipedia dates the album to 2001. "Elephant Man (musician)," Wikipedia.
- The Rough Guide lists "Pon de River, Pon de Bank" and "Signal Di Plane" on Good 2 Go, "his first album to feature US guests." Barrow and Dalton, Rough Guide to Reggae, 350. Wikipedia's article on Beyoncé's "Get Me Bodied" does not mention a sample of it. "Get Me Bodied," Wikipedia, accessed October 1, 2026, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Get_Me_Bodied.
- Wikipedia dates Good 2 Go to 2003 and Let's Get Physical to 2008. "Elephant Man (musician)," Wikipedia.
- The Rough Guide notes his "homophobic rants" among his subjects. Barrow and Dalton, Rough Guide to Reggae, 349. Wikipedia documents cancelled performances in Toronto (2009) and Munich (2015). "Elephant Man (musician)," Wikipedia.
- The Advocate's June 2007 report names Beenie Man, Sizzla, and Capleton as the signatories; Elephant Man is not among them. "Dancehall Reggae Artists Sign Tolerance Agreement," Advocate, June 14, 2007, https://www.advocate.com/arts-entertainment/entertainment-news/2007/06/14/dancehall-reggae-artists-sign-tolerance-agreement.
