Wesley Snipes

AMERICAN MOVIE star, Wesley Snipes made his debut as a DJ at Saturday night's 'Bustin Loose', at the Ocho Rios Pier, while Kymani Marley committed 'musical suicide' and Beenie Man outdid himself.

During Beenie Man's act, the DJ spotted Snipes 'skanking' at the side of the stage and invited him on the stage. The celebrated movie star, on vacation in Jamaica with his family, is known to attend most of the major reggae shows in the USA. So when he demonstrated the latest dancehall moves, the crowd was in awe.

It was 'bruk out' time between himself and Beenie Man, who eventually asked the actor to DJ a song.

The Ocho Rios Pier erupted as Snipes tried a few lines of a popular tune, in his American accent. He left the stage to loud applause and Beenie Man invited his kindergarten sidekick Kitty Paw on stage to seal the issue.

Kymani Marley's performance, which came after Beenie Man's, not only cast a ghoulish shadow on the rising star's career, but threw the show into anti-climatic tatters, bringing the producers' judgement about the show's running order into question.

The divine intervention of his late great dad could not have helped the artiste, neither did the posters bearing his image which had been plastered all over the country for the past five months, in anticipation of the 'Bustin Loose' show.

Ky-mani failed to live up to the expectations of the hype. But the crowd was patient with him, acknowledging his efforts in delivering the day-to-day Bob Marley songs. However, the young Marley's songs from his album The Journey, seemed new to the patrons, a number of whom had travelled from Kingston to the resort town for the event.

How do you perform after a fired up Beenie Man, who delivered one of his finest sets ever? Bettering his Reggae Sumfest performance, the 'Doctor' showed artistry and class.

It was not so much about the songs which were performed, as it was about the proficiency with which he got the crowd immersed in his act. The dances were well-timed and his band complemented his every move.

Hearts of the patrons

Headliner, Busta Rhymes relied heavily on his Jamaican roots to win points as a 'Yardie'. Dressed in brilliant red and lily white, the rap star began his show with the popular 'Golden Hen' dancehall rhythm. He started with a DJ tune, which he performed without his usual confidence. However, when he shouted "a Yankie music time now", he got to the hearts of the patrons.

Rhymes worked with Trinidadian sidekick 'Spliff' from the Flipmode Squad to rock Ocho Rios. The American star performed on tracks, but worked the stage with tremendous energy.

His fans did not need to understand what he was saying, as it was all about hip-hop moves and stylings. He placed his hits well. Among them were Got You All In Check, (Yaw, Yaw, Yaw) and This Is Serious (Bus A Bus). He took an encore and returned to bus' the place, turning patrons loose close to 4 o'clock Sunday morning.

Zebra was the second act on the show and while his programme was unimpressive, he managed to ignite some early fires. He showed that there are areas of his career, particularly stage craft and dialogue, which need urgent attention.

Daniel Brown has far greater talent outside of music, but he grabbed the imagination of the crowd by entering the stage with his father's trademark walk. He sang several of his dad's hits, which went over well.

Daniel was joined by Gregory Isaacs for Raggamuffin and the elder statesman took over from there. Gregory performed a short set, comprised mostly of party songs, as he was very hoarse. The crowd showed him love nonetheless.

Rising talent Lavaska performed two songs late in the programme.

Fourth Street Sister connected best with their original, Stay For A While. The group opened the show which was late in starting, but had all the production credentials for which MKB is renowned.

The sophistication which characterised the event ranged from identification passes with photographs, to intricate security operations and a transformation of the pier into an enclave of red and green, which must have cost the Cigarette Company of Jamaica, which sponsored the event, a pretty penny.

The company had their products on display.

MC for the event was Richie B, with Lloyd Parkes as backing band.