Elephant Man: The blonde bombshell isn’t really a member of Dancehall’s new school, having paid his dues for years alongside Harry Toddler in the Scare Dem Crew. But just as the rapper Busta Rhymes — Ele’s spiritual twin — emerged from the wreckage of his own mediocre group to blow up as a “new” artist, so too has Elephant shocked the world with his meteoric ascent. With a riotous sense of humor, an “anything goes” mentality and a mind-numbingly dexterous flow, Elephant Man is the only Dancehall artist who says things that no other DJ would even think. In the me-too world of copycat artists, Ele’s unabashedly unique voice is a welcome respite. And don’t make the mistake of calling the Elephant a “gimmick” DJ who relies on remaking Yankee tunes and inventing new dances to maintain his hype: Pay close attention to rapid-fire lyrics on many of his songs and you’ll be pleasantly surprised by the breadth and depth of Ele’s subjects, interests, and concerns. Elephant Man’s songs actually get better the second time you hear them, after you get past his “shizzle my nizzle” nonsense.

And, most importantly, unlike the other new school artists, who seem to suffer from Charisma Deficit Disorder, Elephant Man has supplanted Beenie as Dancehall’s most engaging live personality. From his zany, high-energy stage shows — where he often encourages ladies to pet his “anaconda” — to his so-ugly-they’re-beautiful outfits, Elephant Man grabs your attention and doesn’t relinquish it until he leaves the stage.

Prediction: ALMOST THERE. Maybe this was Bounty Killa’s plan all along: to groom an artist with the energy, personality and vibes to supplant arch-rival Beenie Man as Dancehall’s No. 1 feel-good artist. While it’s too early to say whether the Doctor will relinquish his crown, the Dancehall kings and queens better make way for Elephant Man, because he has the potential to take it to a higher level. Only his tendency to resort t gimmicks and his infatuation with crossover success could stop him.

Discography: Log On, Higher Level, Good 2 Go.