Scorpio rules on 50th anniversary, birthday

Renowned sound system Black Scorpio continued its golden jubilee celebrations at House of Dancehall on Cargill Avenue, St Andrew, on Saturday night. The venue's grounds were transformed to mimic a street dance and sound clash experience, which was not difficult for Black Scorpio's principal Maurice 'Jack Scorpio' Johnson, based on his 50-year career. Four sound systems battled in a friendly clash but it was the sound system of the night which won over the crowd.

Jack Scorpio faced off against Downbeat the Ruler, Jam One and King Jammys sound systems, and finessed the crowd with his timely, punchline-hitting dubplates and charisma. "Step out Jammys, the king, a your rididm dem yah, enuh, but you nuh know how fi play it," Jack Scorpio said, before unleashing King Jammy's Sleng Teng rhythm. In a plot twist, he used dubplates on the rhythm to 'kill' King Jammy with his own creation. One Sleng Teng dubplate, John Wayne's Call the Police, attracted many a 'blank' and 'pull-up'. So did dubplates from Capleton and Bounty Killer. A hard-hitting dubplate from Lady G on the Real Rock rhythm also got the crowd in a frenzy, as well as Agent Sasco's Mix Up remake.

WISHES FLOWED

This was the third 50th anniversary celebratory event, as Jack Scorpio held shows in Connecticut and New York in September. The evening was an especially special personal one for the acclaimed sound system operator, as he was celebrating his birthday. Praises and well wishes flowed from members of the entertainment industry like Burru Banton, Peter Metro, Isaiah Laing, and other sound systems.

"I want to big up Jack Scorpio right about now because anybody who can stay at the top of the game or be in the industry for 50 years is a big thing," the self-proclaimed 'Vibes Master' Jerry D said. Tony Screw, proprietor of Downbeat the Ruler, hailed Jack Scorpio for his longevity and interest in teaching young selectors about the craft. Tony Screw had earlier attracted a curious crowd around his sound system as he reeled out exclusive dubplates from his Studio One collection.

Jam One, led by Peter Metro, also kept the crowd longing for more by playing dubplates from dancehall deejays who are currently incarcerated; Buju Banton, Ninja Man and Zebra. The evening culminated with performances from acts like Capleton and Burru Banton.