Ghetto Splash returns with strong line-up

Ghetto Splash founder Patrick Roberts is delighted that after a two-year, COVID-enforced hiatus, the event is back on the year-end calendar.

He is predicting that the 2022 staging will be bigger and better, even as he implores sponsors to come on board.

Ghetto Splash, which is normally held on the third Tuesday in December, has a reputation of hosting the biggest names in entertainment. Roberts said that this year's concert will be no different. The roster of artistes, Roberts said, is "a balanced mix of veterans, young guns and those in-between". He listed the names of Bounty Killer, Beenie Man, Tarrus Riley, Govana, Chris Martin, Jahmiel, Jahvillani, Jahshii, JahFrass, Skeng, Quada, Laa Lee, D'Yani, Briscoe, Marcy Chin, Moyann and Pretty Pretty among the persons slated to perform.

"Shaggy and Sean Paul were at Ghetto Splash in 2019, and we are waiting on confirmation from them if they will be present at the Waterhouse Mini Stadium on December 20. I am also in dialogue with Sanchez to have him as a special midnight attraction. We want to show the up-and-coming entertainers the best of the best and give them a chance to show their skills, and also to learn from the greats," said Roberts, who is also councillor for the Molynes Gardens Division in the Kingston and St Andrew Municipal Corporation (KSAMC).

Roberts, while being excited about this year's staging, lamented the lack of sponsorship for the event over the years.

"Joe [Bogdanovich] made Ghetto Splash possible for the last seven years. I haven't heard from him yet, but I am sure he's going to come through for us this year," Roberts said confidently.

"The Ministry of Culture came on board in 2019, and we look forward to their endorsement again this year, and, of course, support from the CHASE Fund. But I also want to appeal to corporate Jamaica to get on board. We have the same high level of production as any major show and we are incident-free. Ghetto Splash has been around for more than 30 years and we have proven ourselves. So what's the problem?"

He expressed gratitude to the KSAMC for granting waivers on billboard and amusement licences and gave a shout-out to ClearSound and the artistes.

"The artistes are the heroes for coming every year and giving their service for free. They are the ones who have been calling from in the summer, asking if Ghetto Splash is keeping this year so that they could hold the date. I am really impressed with the young acts who want to be on the show. Ghetto Splash started before Jahshii was born; Skeng is from Craig Town, where Ghetto Splash started; and even when we outgrew Craig Town and moved to Heroes Circle in 1996, Skeng still never born yet. So it's good that they see the importance of this event," Roberts said.