Shaggy, LUST light up Florida Jerk Festival

After a one-year hiatus, the Florida Jerk Festival returned to its customary home at the South Florida Fairgrounds in West Palm Beach with a bang on Sunday.

Thousands of patrons streamed into the expansive venue seemingly hungry not only for West Indian flair, but great live entertainment -- a feature which has been missing from the lives of many since the onset of COVID-19.

Headliner Shaggy, who recently relocated to the Sunshine State, was his usual jocular self and had the ladies eating out of his palms. He had eyes agape with his eccentric dress mode, which included a cape-type, oversized, black shirt, a floral top and white jeans.

'Mr Boombastic' strutted his stuff regally for almost two hours and proved to be a worthy headline act after he belted out hit after hit, including Angel, Hey Sexy Lady and the well-loved Strength of a Woman. By the time he ended with the monster hit, It Wasn't Me, the floral top and cape were long gone and the satisfied patrons seemed pleased with his delivery.

The LUST quartet of Lukie D, Thriller U, Singing Melody and Tony Curtis were also in the pink of form. Obviously starved for the stage and the opportunity to ply their craft, the melodious four took every advantage to remind all who were present of their undeniable class and wide range of hits. The group delivered renditions of reggae classics, a ska medley, gospel, and their usual love songs. With the present shortage of singers emerging from the modern Jamaican popular music scene, LUST's return to the stage and exemplary showmanship, vocal range and professionalism were welcomed by the Jerk Festival audience.

Earlier in the proceedings, Skinny Fabulous made his mark with his soca-laced set, as did emerging singer LyCi Soul, who displayed great use of the stage and good selection to make a lasting impression. Hype Type, Beky Glacier, singer Chereen Campbell and poet Marcia Campbell also gave a good showing.

In Consul General for the Southern United States, Oliver Mair, Jamaica seemed to have found a new star. After being called to the stage during a production pause, Mair requested the Real Rock rhythm and delighted the crowd with his rendition of the Michigan and Smiley's hit, Nice Up The Dance. That move went over well with the audience and Mair earned a valuable 15 minutes of entertainment fame.