With the exception of a change in venue, some new faces to grace the stage and a big crowd support, ‘Spectrum 2K8′ ran a familiar course, with many big names on the bill, but too little time allowed for all to get a proper performance going.
D’Angel spent less than five minutes onstage as it was touch and go with Blaze and Babyfather, while Danielle managed to stir some crowd reaction when she dropped a few words on D’Angel in one of her songs. Sad to say, that might have been the closest thing to sparks flying at Spectrum.
The dancers were not missing in action though, as Dance Xpressions demonstrated the ‘Hoola Hoop’ and ‘Drunken Dance’, All Star spoke of his “diamonds and pearl everyday” and Shelly Belly did his now popular ‘chain swing’.
After selectors like Boom Boom, Richie Feelings and others juggled up some musical vibes, it was time to get the stage show going once more.
Bugle and Serani ignited the crowd when they combined for Doh, but left patrons high and dry when they exited the stage too soon, in their estimation.
Voicemail brought a little Bembe vibe to Spectrum, Teflon made his Gun Rise, Demarco warned Duppy Know Who Fi Frighten, Einstein made sure to Rise Up Di Riffle, Munga was busy Flippin Rhymes and Flex was ‘in di complex’ to deliver Evil Canevil, while Blak Rhyno came to Get Di Paypa.
As the night passed, dawn gradually beckoned, so too did the intensity of the action onstage. Mavado came prepared to Touch Di Road as he performed a number of his hits before he was joined by Busy Signal who had the undivided attention of patrons as he hastily announced ‘When Mr. Dead come knocking at yuh door’.
At approximately 3:50 a.m., it was time for Spectrum’s main staple, Sizzla Kolanji, who came onstage with his Big Long Guns blazing.
But although Sizzla was there to deliver a well-rounded performance, he also made time to address the students and faithful patrons of Spectrum over the years.
“A student union dis (Spectrum) use to gwaan, but it move cause unno love fight an cut up unno one another too much. Dis is a educational ground an unno cyan violate like dat mi nuh waan nuh more fighting pon dem grounds yah,” Sizzla warned before he went into singing, ‘Yes you got to be strong.’
And after performing a few more of his hits, among them Rise To The Occasion, Sizzla then shared the spotlight with the Ancient Monarchy, formerly Frisco Kid, who asked to see all the Lion Paw, while Mr. Easy did Tek Wey Yuh Self and followed suit.
Needless to say, at 4:10 a.m., the sound was suddenly turned off by the police and even a few minutes after, patrons were still standing around wondering if there was going to be more action onstage. They later received the memo when the police, apparently, allowed one of the promoters to make the announcement over the microphone.
Source: JamaicaStar
Photo: 876Radio
