Dazzling Tommy Lee and Teejay get hometown love

WESTERN BUREAU:

While hometown stars Tommy Lee, the Sparta man, and the red-hot Teejay got crazy love from the fans on Night One of Reggae Sumfest, delivering rich musical joy at the Catherine Hall Entertainment Centre between Friday night and early Saturday morning, their eastern Jamaica counterparts Masicka and Valiant were also quite impressive with solid performances.

Tommy Lee, who was the closing act, delivered a mature set in what was his first performance in Montego Bay since serving a two-year prison sentence for illegal possession of a firearm and ammunition. In addition to digging deep into his catalogue to serve up hit after hit, he also took time out in his 30-minute set to speak about the harsh realities of prison, urging the youths of western Jamaica to steer clear of crime so that they will not find themselves behind bars.

Interestingly, Tommy Lee said he did not regret going to prison, as in many ways it made him a better man, especially as it relates to understanding himself better, being more responsible, and helping to break some bad habits that were once a way of life for him.

In his energetic set, which was delivered before a full house, as the fans waited patiently for him until he hit the stage at 6 a.m, Tommy Lee did not disappoint as in between trademark slangs ‘Sparta’ and ‘buss a blank,’ he was on top of his game as he belted out songs such as Some Bwoy, Under Vibes, Rich Badness, Spartan Soldier and Blessings, which generated the biggest crowd reaction of the night.

In an interview following his performance, Tommy Lee said he felt like a new man and looks forward to being in top performance shape. “Mi feel good, man. This is good vibes, mi feel new again; I feel like mi born again. It’s a different meds and thoughts right now. Right now mi wickeder than this but it good so far. Is a good starting and me love the energy but mi can do much better right now. But better form a come. But it nice man, mi enjoy meself,” he told The Sunday Gleaner.

Teejay, who recently signed a major deal with Warner Music, all but brought the house down as he opened with his big summer hit, Drift, which was choreographed to highlight the dancers, who created the perfect backdrop for the energy that was unleashed on the stage.

After what was an extended rendition of Drift, he was pretty much in his element as he masterfully reeled off Dutty Money, a sweet rendition of Barrington Levy’s classic, Too Experienced, and hit single Owna Lane.

Teejay also used the opportunity to urge the youngsters in St James and the wider Jamaica to “believe in themselves and invest in themselves and stay away from crime and violence”.

Post-performance, he was in a glowing mood. “Mi feel like mi gwaan wid myself dah year yah differently because mi did kinda plan fi da one yah you know. Performance-wise, entrance, everything – delivery-wise and everything,” said Teejay.

He said he spent about US$13,000 to make sure his performance was how he wanted it to be. “I just wanted to do something different. I feel like the festival is too dead, people just stand up and wanna take out phone and stuff. [I] just wanted to pretty up the crowd [with glow sticks], pretty up the vibes and invest inah sumn weh a go make my thing look good same way,” he said.

Everything about Masicka’s performance had an international flavour as the ‘Genahsyde Boss’ left no doubt about the fact that he was a bona fidestar. Unlike some of the other acts, he never ‘hauled and pull up’ any songs but sang them to their completion, concert-style as he easily managed the 45-minute slot he was given.

In addition to his excellent stagecraft, he had the crowd at his mercy with songs such as Infrared, 10 Outta 10, Moments, Pain, and Update, which earned him richly deserved protracted applause.

Valiant, who appears to be settling nicely into the camp of Romeich Entertainment, made his Reggae Sumfest debut a memorable one as he did not have to do much to drive his youth fan base wild. Interestingly, he looked quite comfortable on the stage and his delivery was on point. After he belted out Dunce Cheque, he pretty much had the crowd where he wanted them. To his credit, he kept them in his corner as he commanded respect all the way, especially with Insomnia, St Mary, Motorcade, Barbies and Bruk Days.

The energetic 450, who also impressed with his dance moves, brought Deno Crazy on stage and Ski Mask, before sealing the deal with a spontaneous song speaking about not being perfect.

Outside of the big stars, the segment dubbed Boombox 90’s Badness was delightfully refreshing, especially for the older fans. It was an absolute joy to see Nitty Kutchie, Harry Toddler, General B, Mega Banton, Silver Cat, Round Head, Tony Curtis and Jigsy King combining masterfully to create a ‘90s dancehall set, which showcased the hit songs of that era and also served as a tribute to the late Boom Dandimite, who should have been a part of the line-up but unfortunately died in late May from complications due to injuries sustained in an accident.

The segment, which had the fans dancing and singing along, saw songs such as Do You Remember, Buss Weh, Fowl Affair and Gimmie De Weed evoking memories of the 1990s when gangsters songs, dancehall rock, and ‘matie’ songs ruled supreme in what was referred to as the ‘90s badness era’.

The Japanese outfit, the Mighty Crown, which is now on a world tour, a precursor to the retiring of the popular sound system, was given 30 minutes to say goodbye to Jamaica and frontman Sami-T, who described himself as a Jamaican at heart, Cojie and Ninja did that in fine style. It was pulsating music at its best as dubplates featuring Bob Marley, Dennis Brown, Beres Hammond, Junior Reid, Barrington Levy, Terry Fabulous, and Louis Culture had the fans dancing and singing along, leaving no doubt that between 1993, when they came to the fore, and last night, the Japanese had made an indelible mark on reggae music, and earned a place in the hearts of Jamaican music lovers.

Of the other acts that performed, Shane O, Jahvillani, Vanessa Bling, Roze Don, Jah Vinci, Stalk Ashley, Moyann, and Top Man, all did enough to make their presence felt, and had it not been for the big performances by the major acts, could well have taken pride of place.

While acts such as Pablo YG, Raphi, Dillgin and Mr Chump also did enough to enhance their reputations on the circuit, Bayka, who continued using expletives in his songs, despite a message from the police to desist, was arrested with minutes left to complete his set and later released on station bail.

Delivering a warning ahead of Night Two, Senior Superintendent of Police Vernon Ellis, the police commander for St James, said those acts prepared to break the law should prepare to spend time behind bars. “If you are coming to Sumfest to break the law, you must come prepared to face the consequences, said Ellis. “So, if you come to Sumfest to curse bad words, bring your toothbrush and all the other necessaries because you are going to spend some time in jail.”

Reggae Sumfest comes to a close on Sunday morning with Festival Night Two bringing the curtain down on a chock-full 30th anniversary celebration. Night Two’s line-up included Kabaka Pyramid, Morgan Heritage, Freddie McGregor and Minister Marion Hall.

entertainment@gleanerjm.com

Additional reporting by Shanel Lemmie.