6th Annual
Caribbean Reggae Fest Press Party - Saturday, November 15th
Story & Pictures By
Lady Cham
The press party/conference the afternoon
before the 6th Annual Caribbean Reggae Fest was abuzz with
reporters, photographers, promoters, artists, band members and
backup singers. The Conference was hosted by the event
promoters Anchor/Minott and they provided everyone with
complimentary hor’deuves, beer, wine and cocktails. Mr.
King from the Miami Commissioners Office was one of many
speakers and he exalted the Annual Caribbean Reggae Fest
explaining that it plays a big part in boosting tourism for
Miami and that Reggae Music is very important to the City of
Miami. There were reporters and photographers representing
all parts of the world and it was wonderful to meet fellow
journalists and DJ’s who I have up until now only met by phone
and internet.
Mr.
King presents Escuffery of Anchor/Minott Promotions with
Commissioners Award
Promoter
Andrew Minott
I was introduced to Louis E. Grant, Vice
President of Irie Jam F.M. 93.5 WRTN in New York, he was very
accommodating and introduced me to Rodney from
Madvibesradio.com who was doing a live internet broadcast from
the press party and of course I had to go live on madvibes.com
to spread the VA love!
Louis also gave me the opportunity to speak
on air during the Miami/NY link up with 93.5fm in Florida,
about our Caribbean Community in Virginia. The vibe in the
live broadcast room was electric! The DJ's out of NY's WRTN
93.5 were DJ Roy, Squeeze and Dubb Master Chris and
representing 93.5 in Florida was DJ Mikey Mike. All of
the DJ’s fed off each other, there were calls not only from
the public but artist’s as well were calling in to the show,
at one point Lady Saw called in and told everyone to hold
tight as she was about to get on a flight from NY to show love
and support for the event. There was real comradeship the
whole afternoon and I was amazed at how well the DJ’s
engineered the show, they are true masters of their craft both
technically and on air.
Nikki
Burt who was in Miami to sing back up with Buju spoke to West
Indian Times at the press party. She informed us that at one
time she sang with reggae artist Mikey Spice but now is trying
to do her own thing as well as sing background vocals for Buju
Banton. Nikki tours with Buju and is presently working on her
soon to be released album entitled ‘Your Friend Nikki.’ The
album which is being produced by Ajang/Jetstar is comprised of
lovers rock, hip-hop and R&B, Nikki says there is something
for everyone and we can expect a Feb/March 2004 release.
KC Jockey and Red Rat were a couple of the
artists that were at the press party and they were very
accommodating to both the media and fans that were milling
around waiting to take pictures and talk to them. Bogle who
everyone knows as the best dancer to come out of Jamaica stood
out in the crowd with his spiked neck collar and I found him
to be lots of fun.
Bogle
is responsible for many of the popular dances that are seen in
the dancehalls including the ‘Log On,’ ‘Zip It
Up,’ Pop It’ and of course ‘The Bogle’
which he created in the winter of 1991. Buju, Beenie, Junior
Reid and Bounty Killa have all made tunes about the dances
Bogle creates but he himself has never had the desire to DJ,
his life is dancing and only dancing. He spoke reverently
about his Mother who is still in Jamaica and who raised him in
the Kingston ghetto area of Jungle reflecting that although
they were poor she raised him in the right way.
Click
Here For Overview Of 6th Annual Caribbean Reggae Fest
Click Here For Detailed
Coverage Of Club Hibiscus In Ft. Lauderdale
Click Here For Detailed Coverage
Of Lady Cham Having Pre-Show Fun
Click Here For Detailed
Coverage In The Park and Backstage
Click Here For Detailed Coverage
Of Onstage Performances
