By Leighton Williams, Staff Reporter 
Richie Spice on-stage at the Marketplace, Red Hills Road, at the 'Fire Burn 2002' last Monday. – Mel Cooke Photo
SIZZLA AND Capleton turned up in a 'fire-burning' mood at the Marketplace, Red Hills Road, on Monday night as both, in-between 'burning fire' on everything that was deemed oppressive, they both thrilled the audience during their performances.
Capleton's performance, however, came to an abrupt end when the police ended the night's proceedings at 4:45 a.m. despite Capleton's chanting of 'fire' on the lawmen after the police entered the venue with sirens blaring.
Sizzla, the penultimate act for the night, was greeted with blazing fire and lighters which lit up the night's sky as well as explosions and shouts of approval.
He started off with Praise Ye Jah. The selection sent the crowd wild as the deejay jumped and pranced all over the stage.
Sizzla, clad in a full suit of khaki, had patrons going wild. He wasted no time in reeling off some of his older songs. Holding Firm and Positively Clear had the audience begging for more and he gave them more. He paused to pay tribute to the women in the venue and then performed Words of Divine.
The deejay then launched into a tirade, chastising the political leadership of the country.
"From long time black people in a slavery. From the time of Columbus until today with P.J. Patterson and Eddie Seaga. We nah stop work till we free black people," said the deejay before launching into Give It Them.
He then launched into a medley of some his raunchier efforts and the crowd loved it. After about 25 minutes, the deejay paused to introduce Anthony B who, during a 15-minute stint on-stage, delivered a good set with songs such as Fire Pon Rome and Nobody Want To Plant The Corn. The deejay also took a swipe at the police when he performed Good Cop.
After Anthony B's exit, Sizzla continued his performance, reeling off several other hits which ensured he was the top act for 'Fire 2002'. He ended his set with his classic Black Woman and Child.
Capleton, who closed the night's performances, 'blazed as much fire' as he could muster. He started off with Bun Out The Chi Chi and segued into Phone Line, which sent the patrons into a frenzy. He then launched into chastising his pet peeve homosexuality. For every song he did, the topic came up at least once.
He also paid tribute to Marcus Garvey, as well as Emperor Haile Selassie, both of whom he said were heroes. The deejay also 'put fire' on everything that he deemed to be inappropriate. He chastised people who engaged in oral sex and 'burnt fire' on corruption by politicians.
The police were not spared as he lashed out against them as well. However, the law men threw some 'fire and brimstones' back his way when they brought his performance to an untimely end at 4:45 a.m.
Richie Spice, who appeared to be in a daze, started off well but fell during his 20-minute performance. The singer redeemed himself with hits such as Grooving My Girl, Earth a Run Red and It Nuh Pretty.
Everton Blendah also turned up to perform. The singer delivered a tight 25-minute set on his way to giving a good account of himself.
He opened his gig with Nuh Just A Come. Declaring that he had been brought up in Kingston, the singer then launched into Rasta Come Fi Tek Over, which again went down well with the crowd.
He continued to perform several of his hits such as Ghetto People Song, Lift Up Your Head and others before leaving.
He was called up for a second stint. He did Lover's Holiday and doing Complain in tribute to Garnett Silk.
The night's other performers were Chuck Fender, Junior Kelly and Turbulence.
