Vybz Cartel SEVERAL ARTISTES turned out on Saturday night in support of upcoming artiste Vybz Cartel, who hosted his 'birthday bash' at La Roose on Port Henderson Road in Portmore. Patrons, however, had to wait until 4:30 a.m. before they got the chance to see any of them perform.
In addition, the venue was way too small for the large crowd that turned up. Those issues aside, the event went well.
Sizzla put in a cameo appearance which lasted approximately six minutes. During the short but energetic stint he performed several new songs as well as old ones. His performance triggered huge roars each time he stepped to the microphone.
New Kidz and Determine also put in appearances. Determine had more impact on the audience than did New Kidz, who opened up with his only popular song Hotta Set A Gal. Determine, though, was more forceful. He pranced and screamed his way through the short time frame he was allotted performing songs that included Rapping Up Rhymes among others.
After this, the performers literally moved to a higher level, since the second floor of the venue became the stage for the performers. One wonders how none managed to fall off but at the end of it all none dared to be too frisky.
General B is usually known for his erratic behaviour as well as his energy but this was not the case on Saturday. He blamed his lack of movement on a sprained foot but it was probably the height of the stage which affected him most since any attempt to jump would have seen him ending up in the audience about three metres below.
Not even Elephant Man, who has climbed many a tall speaker, and is also known as the 'Energy God', dared to test gravity and remained quite still throughout his performance.
Mega Banton and Delly Ranks' Pon Di Corner created some degree of 'vibe' but it was the Monster Shack crew who caused the uproar at La Roose.
The crew, comprising General B, Roundhead and Ghost, performed 'weed' tunes which had the patrons shouting in approval. They ignored an earlier plea for decorum from MC G.T. Taylor who reminded them that they were being taped for a later showing on television.
The man of the night, Vybz Cartel, appeared at 5:15 a.m. and the response that greeted the birthday boy was deafening. He opened up with several of his popular songs. The fact that he had a nice 'vibe' going helped him a lot since he did not need to do much to have the audience screaming. His introduction of Wayne Marshall drew a similar response as both combined well to perform New Millenium on the Mad Ants rhythm.
Cartel introduced Gabriel, Frisco Kid and the Monster Twins. Gabriel started off well but flagged like his career and the Monster Twins failed to stir the audience much.
However, Frisco Kid created hell on earth as he 'blazed fire' on dancehall's easiest targets, practitioners of oral sex and homosexuals.
Assassin, Zumjay and Bling Dawg were short and to the point, as were Spragga Benz and Buccaneer, who put in a cameo appearance.
The introduction of Elephant Man and Bounty Killer put the crowd in a frenzied mood. Elephant Man and 'The Warlord' danced and deejayed with passion and the patrons seemed to enjoy it.
Bounty Killer, in the meantime, broke his silence on a comment made at Sting that suggested he was afraid of Sizzla.
"Spice yuh deh over so and seh how me 'fraid a Sizzla. Mi nuh 'fraid a nobody. Yuh a mek yuh frien' dem walk and dis 'Ele', stop it. Spice, neva you do dat again. A Bounty Killer put mike in a yuh han' an' mek yuh a deejay," he said before launching into Follow Mi Arrow.
All the deejays took turns at belting out new tunes before the event ended at 6:00 a.m.
Earlier in the night, the likes of Fire Links, Sky Juice and Stone Love provided the entertainment for the event.
