1 wild night at Reggae Sumfest celebrating dancehall’s best artists

By Yvette Caslin
Jul 17, 2015
11:13 am

Queen of Dancehall Lady Saw at Reggae Sumfest 2015 Dancehall night (Photo by Sistarazzi for Steed Media Service)

Reggae Sumfest Dancehall Night pours into early morning

It was this writer’s first experience at Reggae Sumfest 2015. From the moment we drove up to the very-on-their-job gatekeepers securing the Catherine Hall Entertainment Centre in St James, Jamaica, I knew I was in for a spicy showcase. The itinerary made my eyes cross, with nonstop performances from 9 p.m. until the break of dawn. Twenty-six to be exact. Dancehall Night morphed into dance all night as I anxiously awaited Gully Bop’s debut performance, which was filled with theatrics. And because I am a girl’s girl, I declined a ride back to the Riu Royale, the hotel where I am booked, because I wanted to be a part of the moment when the first-ever female closed the Reggae Sumfest in its 23-year history.

Thousands filled the venue and literally partied nonstop. Ishawna made me do a double take. Resembling Tamar Braxton and making moves like Lil Kim, she performed hits “Naw Tek Him Back,” “Cheerful Giver,” and “I Need Love.”

J Capri’s sexy moves made me remember why I appreciate Caribbean artists so much. They ain’t afraid to wind and shake what they mama gave them. It exudes femininity.

From the Red Stripe to the Red Bull, drinks were flowing all around. My fave, Sangster’s Jamaica Rum Cream over ice, with a couple of jerk chicken wings.

From the pyrotechnics off stage to the onstage twerking, watching the dancers whip, grab their crotches all while delivering sometimes conscious and empowering, but mostly suggestive lyrics in an vernacular that I could barely make out, my head was spinning at 360 degrees, heart was racing and eardrums were tickled.

After two power naps in VIP, followed by a disco nap in the media lounge, I rose like a phoenix for the final two acts. When I emerged from the media tent, sunlight and morning welcomed me. But it was Capleton and Lady Saw’s performances that put the cherry on top.

The Queen of dancehall, Lady Saw is my Caribbean shero, think sh*t talking Millie Jackson meets Mary J. Blige. This exhaustion I am feeling as I write this piece and set my clock to wake up in the next hour and a half was all worth it.