Entertainment

'MOJAH CHAOS' at Fantans Earth Strong

Fantan Mojah performs at Capelton's "A St. Mary Mi Come From" show at Grays Inn Sports Complex, Annotto Bay, St. Mary on Saturday. - roger chuck

AN UNLIKELY MIXTURE of fresh and established acts nearly caused chaos at Fantan Mojah Earth Strong - Hail the King, staged at the Burnt Savannah Sports Complex, St. Elizabeth last Friday.

The format of the show, which saw young acts appearing on stage in between performances by acts such as Anthony B and Bling Dawg was not a welcoming mix and served to drag out the show, which began just after 2 am.

The late start caused an uproar from the crowd who had waited through numerous sound systems playing long sets and a barrage of fresh acts, most of whom were short-changed, untalented bombs rushing the microphone.

The crowd began getting boisterous when, at 2 o clock, it was announced that two more sound systems were scheduled to play.

Soothing plea

Mojah in a bid to soothe the angry audience took to the stage and begged the crowd to tolerate the two sound systems, outlining that none of the billed emcees were yet to arrive. His plea went in vain and the man for whom the session was being held had to give in to an irate crowd. He delivered an abbreviated performance, leaving the rest of his set for the end. After his performance, Mojah summoned selector Ricky Trooper to substitute as MC.

Trooper, being aware of the crowd's mood readily begged not to be bottled.

After that speech the show began.

Paul Elliot was the first fresh act to take the stage. Though he was scheduled to sing two songs and make way for the next act, he went on to do approximately six tracks, angering the MC who came on stage and tried to take the mike.

While Ricky Trooper vented backstage, Bling Dawg and To-Isis performed credible sets. They were soon succeeded on stage by several fresh acts who came from the plethora of artistes that bundled along the foot of the stage area.

They were followed by Anthony B and Junior Kelly who were introduced at about 3:30 a.m. The two were relentless in the positive vibes they created. This energy was soon lifted further by 'King Shango' aka Capleton who burst on stage to a resounding welcome from the now enlivened crowd. Anthony B soon left the stage, but Junior Kelly, like the crowd, was tolerant of Capleton's long historical and philosophical speech and soon requested that Capleton shared the microphone.

Capleton complied and allowed two songs before forgetting the arrangement. Junior Kelly was patient though and took over when Capleton left the stage and had the crowd 'Receiving' his talent.

More fresh acts followed before Bushman and DYCR. The crowd was tolerant though and stood their grounds to see 'Mr. Earth Strong' Fantan Mojah perform his full set. When THE STAR left after 4 a.m. there was still a large group of artistes who had not yet performed and there was an announcement that Beenie Man, and Bounty Killer who had another show, Double Attack, that same night in St Ann, was yet to come.

It was testimony that Fanton Mojah was not joking when he said he wanted the show to go on until noon Saturday.