Big voices, good vibes at Deh Yah

The hills were indeed alive with the sound of music as it echoed along Skyline Drive in the cool climes of St Andrew last Friday. Young entrepreneurs turned artistes, Friday Night Cru, held a post-Melissa musical fundraiser, inviting several artistes to pass through and bless the venue with their voices, all for a worthy cause as 100 per cent of the proceeds went to charity.

Promoted as the ‘sound of the next generation’, the event gave emerging talent and established artistes a chance to grow and entertain their local fan base while helping to build back the breadbasket parish. DJ Reiizzzr opened with cool Afro-beats juggling that kept guests entertained.

Though they did not have a set monetary goal in mind for the fundraising effort, Djavan Warner, one half of the organising duo, said it was just doing their part to have a positive impact on some of those affected.

“Honestly there was no specific number in mind. It was whatever we could do to help because of course, cash is needed to buy stuff like generators, et cetera,” Warner told The Gleaner.

He also shared that it was great feeling to see the crowd support the show received, “It’s amazing that people saw the names, saw the brand, and came out. I think it showed that people are willing to support the younger generation of musicians out there.”

Host Ashley Miller first called Elle, who was eager to get into her set, and kicked things off with Bob Marley’s Is This Love before seguing into an original piece, Chance On Me, where she taught the audience the chorus and had them sing along. Sugar Cane had a catchy hook that got the crowd moving, before she closed with well-known staples, including Lauryn Hill’s Can’t Take My Eyes Off Of You and Rihanna’s Work.

Akina Eman then nervously took the stage, but the ever-supportive crowd cheered her on. Sultry best described her vibe, and the audience soaked it up as she performed For You, Fatima’s Dream, and her newest song, The Long Day.

Fresh off his first US tour, Gio Mar was ready to show off his versatility, bringing a little bit of everything from soca to reggae, dancehall, and R&B. Like a seasoned artiste, he began singing offstage to Barrington Levy’s Too Experienced and Pressure’s Love and Affection. Blessed with stage presence, he moved effortlessly between singing and bantering with the crowd, having fun with Best Weekend.

The second half came fast and furious when Zac Jones touched the stage for an extended performance with songs like Treasure Beach and The Weed Song.

Dressed in matching outfits, organisers Friday Night Cru released Follow My Lead, Come Gimme Some and Someone Like You. Things definitely shifted when the man from Spanish Town, Royal Blu, was given the microphone. Locked and loaded with lyrics, he was easily the most impactful male artiste as he unleashed Divine Timing, G and Hype.

The honour of closing went to Sevana and she did not disappoint. Backed by her two dancers, she came dressed in a blue pin-stripped body suit and stilettos and served the musical tea hot. Working a predominantly dancehall set, she established her dominance over the crowd dropping bangers such as her own Lowe Mi, a rendition of Beres Hammond’s Double Trouble, and her track Need Me. By the time she got to Nobody’s Man and Mango, the audience were singing her own lyrics back to her, which gave her more energy to drop it low with her gyrations.

nicola.cunningham@gleanerjm.com