Merciless Western Bureau
THE absence of his main rivals made no difference to DJ Merciless as he ruled centre-stage at the Pier One Complex, in Montego Bay, on Saturday. Clad in military fatigue, complete with a fake side arm, the self-style 'War Head' simply 'dissed' his rivals in absentia.
Appearing as the headline act on a show dubbed, 'The Crowning of Merciless', the lanky DJ was in a mean mood. In between rapping with the fans, spouting out crisp lyrics and reeling off expletives, he made it quite clear that he considers himself as a 'badman' and an 'Ol Galist.'
"Hold it deh mek me tell unoo something, me no fraid a neither 'Rodney Idiot Price' (Bounty Killer) or 'Dead Man Ballentine' (Ninja Man)," declared Merciless, much to the delight of his lighter flashing entourage, who were also clad in military garb. "Dem seh a Sumfest dem wah hold me but me ready fe dem anytime."
While the loyal fans of Merciless were clearly having a ball, especially when he unleashed songs like, and I Will Never, his detractors were clearly not impressed. Some were heard complaining that, 'him chat too much', 'him no have no new lyrics' and 'a de band (Blaze) a carry him.'
While it was clearly Merciless' party, the night honours probably belonged to the dazzling TOK and the lyrical Hawkeye. While TOK had the fans operating like a choir as they belted out songs such as, Shake Your Bam Bam and their hit single, Chi Chi Man, the slick Hawkeye did not miss a beat as he sizzled with, Nah Do Right' and Twingy Twang.
For the fans of hype-style music, new sensation Bling Dawg and Alozade were tailor-made for their appreciation. While the energetic Bling Dawg had the hardcore fans in ecstasy with selections such as Floss Like We Do, Bling Dawg and Robbery , the smooth Alozade had the girls screaming.
Terry Ganzie, who made way for Merciless, proved himself a class act, but the majority of the crowd showed no real appreciation for his message-style music as they awaited the arrival of the 'War Head.'
The Montego Bay based artistes who performed included Fire Lion,(also known as the Lavaman) Fancy Face, Natural Mystic and DJ Okonko.
The show, which was billed for a 10 p.m. start, never got underway until about 2 a.m., leaving a number of patrons quite angry.
