Live Music: NESBETH, SPARROW, KEN BOOTHE STANDOUT PERFORMERS AT ORACABESSA FESTIVAL

New York: Reggae's newest music sensation Nesbeth, who was given the herculean task of bringing the curtain down on the third annual Oracabessa Festival on Memorial Monday at Roy Wilkins Park in New York, not only proved equal to the task but had patrons singing along to songs from his growing catalogue of hits.

Assuming command of the stage Nesbeth brought the house down in what was his first major performance in the tri-state area. Born Greg Nesbeth, the artisit had his biggest moment when he delivered "My Dream”, arguably one of the most globally recognized reggae songs for 2016. Released last October, 'My Dream' was an anthem during the 2016 political campaign in Jamaica and was enthusiastically received by patrons at the NY festival.

“The song connected with young and older patrons" event producer Bobby Clarke said backstage. "I am extremely proud of his performance here today. It is artists of this calibre that we need to be pushing to the forefront" Clarke noted.

Soca king Mighty Sparrow displayed stunning vocal range while performing favorites Jean & Dinah, May May, Mister Walker, and Melda. Ken Boothe did not disappoint and demonstrated why he is still one of the best in the business, engaging fans with Artibella, When I Fall In Love, The Girl I Left Behind and The Train Is Coming.

Internet sensation Gully Bop and Sting clash-King Kip Rich both entertained during their impromptu performances. Little Hero, NJ based reggae DJ Dr Love, Barbie, Pastor's Son, Natalie Evans, Kukudo and The St John's United Methodist Divinity Dancers were also well received.

Apart from the music that the main stage offered, organizers included comedy with Andrea 'Delcita' Wright and the cast of Border Patrol which was happening for the first time at an out outdoor music festival in NYC. Other attractions included a Kids Amusement Area, Business Expo, Health Pavilion and Arts & Craft.

Caribbean Heritage Awards were present to Mighty Sparrow, radio host Gil Bailey and posthumously to Jimmy Riley who performed at last year's Oracabessa Festival. Lavern Tatham, mother of singer Tarrus Riley accepted on behalf of Jimmy Riley.

While providing great entertainment for the bumper crowd in attendance, the annual family festival was not without some controversy, as toward the end dancehall DJs Super Cat and Mavado both delivered expletive laced performances. Mavado, who took the stage after 6pm, was having a great performance until he began to express dissatisfaction with the band. This resulted in the artist delivering a slew of expletives, to which patrons took offense. His behavior marred what could have been a career defining performance at Roy Wilkins Park.

Veteran DJ Super Cat, who had not performed at a major outdoor event in NY in over 15 years, gave event host Dubb Master a tongue lashing for trying to move the show along. Dubb Master, acting on instructions from his management team and the NYPD to bring the show to a close after the 8pm cut off time had passed, showed class and professionalism in his handling of the situation. Avoiding a verbal tussle with Super Cat, Dubb Master took the high road and thanked Cat for his performance before inviting Nesbeth on stage who seized the opportunity to stamp his class during his short performance.

"We are truly appalled at the unexpected display by Mavado and Super Cat at our family friendly festival. We have since met with our production team and some of our sponsors and have apologized to them and our radio listeners for what transpired. There is a 'no cuss word' clause in all our contracts, which was clearly violated. For 2017, we will have to be even more prudent with decisions concerning the dancehall acts that we engage, so as not to have a repeat of this unfortunate event at our festival" Clarke said.

Oracabessa 2016 was an event to remember and the Irie Jam team should feel proud for having delivered a first class presentation, despite the minor hitches. Weather forecasters had predicted a 90% chance of rain all day, but the organizers seem to have connections to a higher authority as the weather held. In fact the sun pierced the clouds at various times throughout the day for what turned out to be a wonderful day of Caribbean entertainment in the Big Apple.

Music: Dancehall, the Documentary, the Arenas

The genre itself got started, like most, in the streets, among small gathering places, corners and open-air lawns, but when dancehall became mainstream, so too did the venues shift, and one in particular, has now notched over three decades as the greatest one-night gladiatorial contest for DJs. That is the event known as....

STING
Founded by former enforcer cop Isaiah Laing back in 1983 (still a transitional time for Jamaican music), Sting is virtually unparalleled in all of popular music. On one stage, all of dancehall's latest and greatest meet tot try and impress a notoriously demanding crowd, who have been known to air their displeasure with the throwing of bottles and other missiles, and there has also been gunfire. What they really want to see however, are the on-stage conflicts, as the hottest DJS, male and female, take on each other. These hot lyrical battles have often overheated into physical contests, and the epic feuds between the likes of Beenie Man and Bounty Killer, Vybz kartel and Mavado and more recently 'clash king" Kip Rich and Blak Ryno have played out on the STING stage at JamWorld in the St Catherine plains. More recently, STING entered the realms of pay-per-view, pulling in even more audiences globally and more bucks for Laing and directors, including cash-rich producer Joe Bogdanovich

Reggae Sumfest dancehall night
Reagge Sumfest superceded the now defunct Sunsplash largely on the appeal of its own mid-summer version of a one-night dancehall extravaganza  Indeed, Sumfest Dancehall night is where many artistes essentially "make their bid" for consideration on the STING line-up as the hottest act in July will certainly be offered a spot on Boxing Day (night) . The Sumfest stage has also seen its share of conflicts and controversies, but also some wild and crazy entrances (by the likes of Shabba and more recently, Spice) as well as some memorable performances


Fully Loaded

held at the James Bond beach in scenic St Mary, Fully Loaded spent roughly a decade as the big bad day-into-night beach party of dancehall

Music: dancehall, the Documentary, Prelude

So, waaaaay back in 2009, before social media and instant sharing became the rage, I wrapped up this project. Yes, I know, there's no sign of Popcaan, Tommy Lee, Dexta Daps or any of today's "stars" but as this seies wears on I'll be covering those who, in my opinion (always, never subsidized) really mattered. Take a hop and a skip down "memory lane"

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Monday, April 13, 2009

AND NOW..........(Trumpets, Fanfare) The Ultimate Dancehall records

Well, here we are. The top of the mountain. The end of the line. The last word
Okay, so that's a bit of hype, but here are my choices for the Ten Dancehall/DJ records that Mattered Most over the last thirty years.

Look out for my extensive commentary on each of the Top Ten, beginning Thursday, and also check upcoming issue of BUZZZ magazine (May/June) for the list and feature, AND......... look out for the companion booklet, coming soon.

Thanks and keep checking this blog



1. Who Am I - Beenie Man

2. Murder She Wrote - Chaka Demus & Pliers

3. Look - Bounty Killer

4. Zunguzunguguzunguzeng - Yellowman

5. Ring the Alarm - Tenor Saw

6. Twice My Age - Shabba Ranks feat Krystal

7. Action - Nadine Sutherland & Terror Fabulous

8. These Streets - Tanya Stephens

9. Anything For You (various artistes)

10. Overcome - Mavado

Music: Kemmy Be Good, Heard All Over

Its getting to the point where its hard to turn on (or punch in a radio station - terrestrial or online - without catching a track from Kemar White AKA “Kemmy Be Good” .

"Kemmy" who started recording music professionally in July 2013, has virtually been a one-man industry, releasing his own recordings on his Bling Facta label and spreading the word globally.

His debut track, a searing piece of social commentary titled "Country Unstable" picked up over 4000 views on You Tube within a few weeks and the artist has reports of airplay from many stations across the continental US. This initial success brought him to the attention of  “DJ Young Lion” from “Black World Sound” one o the top reggae/dancehall-oriented jocks in America, was Used to open THE UNDERGROUND EXPERIENCE WITH UNCLE EARL Radio Show, aired on  www.ultimateunderground.com, and also earned a feature spot on “Yardhype.com” on August 5, 2013. The subsequent music video was in rotation on local channels Hype TV and Cvm Plus.

 The DJ followed that up with “Move Like A Gig” which received similar media attention to the first, landing on FAME-FM's popular "Full House Fridays" and on US stations such as KJAG Radio, the midwest America-based internet radio station with over a decade in the business.  

And things are looking up for “Kemmy Be Good” even beyond those markets. He has just recently had the song "mash up The Place" nominated for Dancehall Song of the Year in Uganda, and has in fact been enjoying good rotation throughout East Africa, including also Kenya, Tanzania and Zimbabwe. Even further afield, his music has been picked up in New Zealnd, where heas also been the subject of radio interviews.

In addition, Kemmy has been blazing hs way through several live show stages, most recently being the popular Ghetto Splash event at the Waterhouse Mini-stadium. 

For his part, Kemmy states that his primary focus is "to put out relevant music that the people can move to even with the message in it" it is to this strategy that h attributes the media attention received to date, and what he expects to carry him forward in the music biz.

Current and upcoming projects include a riddim track, the "Nah Smile" riddim, and several production gigs and stage appearances.