MoBay on full alert for ‘6ixes at six’

Western Bureau:

While 'BBC'- Beres Hammond, Buju Banton, and Chronixx, - are being billed as the major drawing cards for Reggae Sumfest 2019, for Montego Bay residents, the '6ixes at six' segment, which features home-based talents led by 6ix boss Squash, is what is creating the real buzz. The '6ixes at Six' segment will see Squash leading a gifted line-up of amazing talents such as Unknown Gringo, Daddy One, Chronic Law, Jahvillani, Bobby6, and Mad Dawg. Their musical journeys all started in the volatile Salt Spring community on the outskirts of Montego Bay, but they have now blossomed to encompass all of Jamaica and the wider Caribbean.

"Mi haffi support dem because a dem a run di place," a Glendevon mechanic told WESTERN STAR last Friday.

During last year's Reggae Sumfest, while the potent Montego Bay trio of Rygin King, Teejay, and Tommy Lee Sparta had the fans in a dancing and screaming frenzy at the Catherine Hall Entertainment Centre, Squash was locked up under the provisions of the state of public emergency at the nearby Freeport Police Station.

However, in a twist of fate, this year, it is Squash and his 6ixes outfit that is all the rage as they will not only be rubbing shoulders with the best in reggae and dancehall, but have the enviable distinction of being the first debutants to be accorded closing duties since the festival's inaugural staging in 1993.

"Last year, Teejay, the one king (Rygin King), and the Sparta general (Tommy Lee) mek we proud, especially the one king," continued the mechanic. "This year, it a go wicked because Squash a run di place and youth like Daddy One a bubble up fi buss."

In looking ahead to the festival, Squash is hoping to prove that contrary to the rumours and innuendos, which had him on the police's radar during the initial stages of his career, he is a man on a mission to make a name for himself and build a brand that will transform the image of his hometown.

"A music mi a deal with straight," Squash stated categorically in a recent interview. "We wah use Sumfest fi expose the talent around us as well as to build our brand, which now includes our own label, 6ixReal Record."

For Daddy One, who has been waiting in the wings for his big break, the '6ixes at six' platform is one that will set him on a path to stardom.

"Yu know how long me a wait fi dis? ... now people go see the real Daddy One," said the confident youngster, given name Adrian Bailey. "The world is going to see that 6ix is real."