Doctor Beenie Man nurses sick ankle ... but delivers superb performance
Thrills visiting travel professionals at One Love Weekend
The expectations were high after word circulated in Montego Bay that ‘dancehall doctor’ Beenie Man was billed as the featured performer for Saturday night’s closeout party for the much-anticipated One Love Weekend.
Beenie Man was tasked with entertaining scores of top-performing travel specialists and allied professionals from the United States and Canada who sell Jamaica to the world at the annual Jamaica Tourist Board’s (JTB) premier event, held this year at Secrets Resort at Montego Freeport.
Beenie did not disappoint. Despite nursing a recent injury to his right foot, reportedly from a bike accident, the dancehall doctor was in fine nick, delivering a sizzling one-hour performance, a Christmas gift of sorts to the devout, captive audience.
After being introduced by JTB’s Northeast Manager Phillip Rose, the ‘Girls Dem Sugar’ kicked off the soiree with the uptempo Toy Friend before segueing into Romie, Baby You Look Fine and the soca-tinged Feeling Hot.
“I only got one foot working, so I can’t dance tonight,” he shared with the agents, who by now were dancing up a storm, accompanied by a chorus of lyrical chants.
Beenie Man then encouraged everyone to clap to the beat before further engaging them with Gal in a Bundle, which had a fresh new jazz-tinged beat. He then invited Leroy, the hornsman, to “mark up the chalkboard”, which drew rapturous applause. Then came the explosive Tear off mi Garment. Beenie then launched into a blistering medley of classic hits that included the Sly & Robbie-produced Selassie I Send Them, Bam Bam and Murder she Wrote, before reminding the crowd he is an Ole Dog. After delivering other staples like Dancehall Queen and Proper Fix, he brought the curtain down on the festivities with Wickedest Slam, Rum & Red Bull and a reworked version of Toots Hibbert’s Country Road.
The visitors yelled deliriously, seduced by the magic of reggae. Tourism director Donovan Whyte bounced to the Beenie beat. JTB’s regional rep created new dance moves on the floor, while Miami-based administrator Rosie Hawkins astonished with her innovative dance acrobatics. It was Jamaica jubilation at its finest, with the night registering dozens of new reggae converts, thanks to the musical prowess of an extraordinary performer.
Saturday night’s superb performance closed out three days of activities that kicked off last Thursday with an inaugural, non stop flight from Hartford, Connecticut, to Montego Bay, a Reggae Rafting Tour at Lethe, and an All-White Barefoot Beach party at the Half Moon Hotel.