IRIE JAMBOREE 2K4 WAS A COMPLETE SUCCESS!!!

On Sunday, August 22nd, 2004 I left Virginia and headed by plane to NY for the BIG show everyone was talking about, Irie Jamboree which was presented by Black Emperor Entertainment and Irie Jam Media Group.  It was a beautiful Sunday morning and the weather promised to be perfect.  I have to thank Aunty Dorcia and Jasmine for picking me up from the airport and preparing breakfast before I headed to Roy Wilkins Park, Queens, NY for the show.  I arrived at the park before noon and already there was a line outside the park and all around there were cars blasting hit after hit of Shabba Ranks!!  The people were really feeling Shabba's comeback and anticipating his performance at the show. 

Before I even get into the performers and performances, I have to thank Anthony Turner of International Media & Global Entertainment Services LLC and all of the Irie Jam & Black Emperor personnel who went out of their way to insure that West Indian Times had access to every part of the show, and that everything we needed was provided.  Thanks to Red Rat's manager 'Scuffy' for access to the stage so we could get crowd shots!  Thanks to Shilo from celebrityplus.net for sticking with me all day, we had the most fun and to Jasmine for her tireless help and to Ras Imeka for the ride back to VA!  To Michael, the very lovely security and Charlie, head of security: nuff respect! The love shown by all is really appreciated!

Now I know you all want to know what happened at the show, here we go:

The show opened at 1pm with Chantel Ellis  performing the American National Anthem followed by the Jamaica National Anthem.  Baby Vinegar,  Matik (Danga Zone Artist), Luddy (Danga Zone Artist), Majesty Son, Princess Menen, Nardo Ranks, Foxy Brown, Mickey 'Mack Daddy'  Jarret, Ed Robinson, Wayne Smith, Snapper, Ky-Enie, Stephen Souza, Zin (from Haiti) tried to teach the patrons Creole but they just didn't get it: Kendra had on a too short skirt (that's all I remember, sorry),  Sammy Dred was wicked as usual and all of the early performers did an excellent job of keeping the crowd of patrons rocking.  Mr. Easy thrilled the crowd with his easy going self and Major Mackerel had the crowd rolling with his comedic lyrics about President George Bush!  Plucky Ranks also joined Major Mackerel on stage and was met with love by the patrons.  Teddy Brown gave us lovers rock, Half Pint greeted us with 'Greetings' and lit up the stage, he even performed my favorite Winsome!  Frankie Paul entered the stage with 'Sarah' and the crowd was singing louder than Frankie as he went into a wicked Gospel section: 'Oil In My Lamp, How Great Thou Art, It Soon Be Done, Fly Away Home' and more! Delly Ranks hit the stage but was on and off in a flash!  There was dancehall, lovers rock, oldies but goodies, Gospel reggae: something for everyone and as one of the MC's stated, this was a stage show that presented local acts in the first half of the show, creating a build up to the main acts.   Many of the early warmers were artists who were headliners in the 80's and early 90's and they still have what it takes to keep the crowd alive, there was never a dull or boring moment.  The promoters really did their research and had a line up that could sustain an all day event. 

Click here to see artists on stage in alphabetical order

What made this show memorable was the camaraderie going on all day, from the vendors in the park, to the stage, to backstage, everyone was cooperating and the vibes were at 110%! 

Ward 21 gave the hardcore dancehall patrons the fire that they usually brandish and Red Rat was superb in his long pink robe, he gave the crowd nuff jokes with his issues about Bin Ladin, R. Kelly and Ganja!  The patrons really loved his performance.

5th Element Artists: Anthony 'You Got It Bad' Cruz, Richie 'Earth a Run Red'  Spice and Chuck 'The Poor People Defender' Fender took us into the main acts and all of them had the place in an uproar!  Could this show really get any better?  Already the crowd were nearly full with the wonderful reggae music, there were no half way performances, the message in the music was reaching everyone, and God was still smiling and sending down sunshine into the evening hour!

Up next, Mad Cobra graced the stage and was his usual hardcore self, he was greeted with screams from the ladies and 'the snake'  who wound his way into the hearts of the people a long time ago  took them over the edge with 'Flex' and as many of his dancehall hits that he could get in during the 20 minutes time allotted.  Both the men and women enjoyed the next artist 'Tanya Stephens' who was rebellious, witty and extremely entertaining.  I also learnt from Chris (VP Miami) that the whole foolish rumors about Tanya and Lady Saw feuding was nonsense and fabricated by a Jamaican paper.  Tanya is a no nonsense woman who tells it like it is and she has earned her respect, she has most definitely matured in her stage presence and had the crowd eating out of her hands! (Again, how did the promoters manage to put all of this together?!!!)

There was a slight interval with  dancers 'Fresh Kids' before 'The Messenjah' Luciano graced the stage and brought the people 'Legalize it', I did not think that the crowd could reach higher heights but they did for Luciano (who himself reached higher heights as usual by climbing the scaffolding and causing everyone's hearts to be in their mouths!) On stage with Luciano was Dean Fraser, The MessenJah Band, Capital D and Luciano's two offspring who were skanking down the place! Luciano's beautiful voice and demeanor  are very spiritual and he truly uses reggae music to bring the message from Jah to the people.  Nuff respect to Luciano for keeping the positive flame alive.

Next up was my cuddly teddy bear, you know it, Mr. Freddy McGregor whose entrance on stage had the horns blaring and lighters in the air! This veteran singer is wicked!  He has not lost it and had even security singing loudly to 'I was born a winner!' He did not stay long on stage as time was flying past and we were into grace period time with the park and NYC police. 

While Freddy was onstage I had rushed backstage to get Ras Imeka and bumped into Bounty Killer and normally I dont take backstage pictures of him but something said "snap Bounty" so I did and moved on.  I rushed back round to the front of the stage and DJ Roy was introducing none other than Shabba!!!  When DJ Roy screamed "Shabba!" we screamed "Ranks!"  we were on edge waiting for Big Bad Dutty Stinkin' Shabba!!  The screams were the loudest I have heard in a long time, if you've ever seen Elvis or the Beatles in concert that is the reception Shabba received from the Irie Jamboree patrons!  He came out 'whinin like a genie' and oh my Lord he still is Raw As Ever!  He then went into 'Get Up Stand Up' everyone jumped up and down with love for Shabba!  He screamed "Shabba" we screamed "Im Dey Ya"!!!  I say we because I was caught up in the whole Shabba frenzi, no longer was I Lady Cham reporter/photographer: I was Lady Cham, Shabba fan, mesmerized by his performance, this is truly what dancehall reggae is all about!  Fans going wild and showing big big respect for an artist who did so much for Reggae music.  Shabba Ranks the original Grammy Kid, the King of the Dancehall, he crossed over into hip-hop and put dancehall out there into mainstream media.....the fans have not forgotten all of this and showed him mega love!  From 'Wicked Inna Bed' to 'Hard An Stiff' he had the crowd mad....Shabba also had a young female singer perform 'Mr. Loverman' and 'Twice My Age' with him, sorry did not catch her name (concentrating on Shabba).  After performing an energetic 'We Nuh Shoot An Miss' Shabba asked the crowd if they were ready for the place to bun down?  They all screamed 'YES' and he then asked, "You ready for a Seaview combination?" and the crowd screamed "Killer, Killer, Come Bounty Killer!"  We could not believe it, the place tore apart in anticipation of Shabba Ranks and Bounty Killer on stage performing together!  DJ Roy bounded from the right of the stage to the left, the excitement reached everyone! 

After a few minutes though, I sensed something was wrong and in my head I kept repeating 'no Bounty, don't do this, don't disrespect Shabba and everyone out here, come on Bounty, come on stage' but Shabba who was waiting for Bounty began to DJ "I love all ah di gun dem"  then it was trailer load time and all of Shabba's girls came on stage, Shabba kept the crowd hyped with his finale, he is a great performer who was graceful enough to stay on stage and not say one bad word against the so called 'Poor People's Governor' who had just dissed him big time.  Bounty Flopped himself by not coming out when Shabba called him on stage. Shabba ended with 'Peanie Peanie' and was shown extra love by the patrons.  What a wonderful performance by Shabba Ranks, it was a great return to stage for him and the patrons really showed their love to him. 

Whatever you do Shabba, remember you do it for the people and the love of reggae music, you showed you are above the antics of the nowadays DJ's, you chose to rise above and you showed respect for the fans, promoters and yourself.  You are to be commended!

To all who are reading my review, this was one of the best events I have ever attended, there was true reggae love in the park and the promoters worked really hard and tirelessly to make sure it was a success.  Big ups to all!!

Having said all of that, it's a shame that there has to be one idiot who had to spoil things for everyone.  Bounty Killer who has shown over and over again that he is nothing but an ignorant spoilt brat was a disgrace to the reggae fraternity!  Many people paid $50 plus dollars to see him (yes there are fans who just wanted to see Bounty) after all he is the self proclaimed 'poor people's governor'.  Let me tell you all something, all Bounty does is take poor people's money and give them no show!  Jamaica people wake up and let Lady Cham fill you in on the details: