Mykal Rose, Red Rat please patrons at Reggae Summer Fest

Perhaps it was due to the ravages of the new COVID variant in Florida, which saw a less than desirable turnout of Jamaicans at the Bunche Park in Miami Gardens last Saturday for Reggae Summer Splash.

But those who were in attendance were given a musical treat by the billed acts, Mykal Rose and Red Rat. The concert was organised by Bahamas-born councilwoman for Miami Gardens, Shannon Ighodaro, in celebration of Jamaica's 59th year of Independence.

Mykal Rose's catalogue is well documented and from the moment he walked onto the stage, it was evident that a party was is session. He was visibly and audibly a tad out of his comfort zone due to the fact that he was performing to tracks, but the audience was not bothered and skanked along as he reminded them of the risks associated with Abortion, and asked them to Guess Who's Coming To Dinner with a Stalk of Sensimilla.

The veteran singer, who was the lead vocalist for the inaugural winner of the reggae Grammy Black Uhuru, went through his paces with ease and was well received by the black, gold and green-clad members of the audience.

Red Rat has been absent from the stage for some time but seemed to have lost none of the youthful exuberance that endeared him to dancehall fans during his heyday.

He pranced about the stage while delivering his signature singles which were mouthed word-for-word by the audience, who received his offering well.

Earlier in the evening, a number of Jamaicans living in South Florida were honoured with plaques by Miami Gardens.

Among those honoured were Broward County Commissioner and Democratic congressional hopeful, Dale Holness, veteran broadcasters Pat Montague and Tanto Irie, Dr Thelma Coke, Suzan McDowell and Dr Lavern Deer.