Ghetto Splash performers thrill dancehall fans

Up-and-coming acts, veterans and new age artistes provided top-class entertainment for Ghetto Splash patrons at the filled-to-capacity Waterhouse Mini-Stadium in Drewsland, St Andrew, on Tuesday.

Some were not prepared for the juggling which didn't end until 12:58 a.m., when the first act, Buzz Rock, started the 'one and move' segment which saw names like Samurai, Bad Bobo - who was "representing fi di gal dem inna real life" - Chappz, who failed to keep it clean and gave tough chat when reprimanded, and singer Kevoy Clarke, who was given an extended set.

Emcee Sample Man insisted on making comparisons to Sting, but noted that whereas Sting will be having giants, Ghetto Splash had monsters. The crowd seemed to agree, especially when the show moved to the next level with Ruff Kutt band backing the heavyweight acts.

The three 'B's Bounty Killer, [Baby] Cham and Beenie Man gave a master class in performance and every song they pulled was a winner. In fact, it was Bounty and Cham who teamed up first, while Beenie was still chilling backstage, but he soon joined them. Also joining them later was the singer who Bounty introduced as his "vocal coach", Richie Stephens.

D'Angel seemed to want a piece of the action, but instead waited to perform solo. Looking regal in a floor-length robe, she soon disrobed to show off her fiery red over-the-knee boots and her itsy bitsy red costume. The angel didn't bring glad tidings of great joy, instead "di baddest angel inna Jamaica" sang songs to match her mood, including her most recent, War Angel.

Dovey Magnum came with anger, complaining about her long wait backstage and demanding "respect". She dissed all the girls with a certain larger part of their anatomy, and boasted that hers is lined with gold. Ishawna, oozing sexiness in all black, worked her body and the crowd like a pro.

Future Fambo was a drunken master and his stint on stage saw him appropriately doing Rum and Red Bull. Acts like Jahshii, I-Waata, Kash and Laa Lee later commanded the stage and took Ghetto Splash to another high.