Kavelle Anglin-Christie, Staff Reporter

Mr. Vegas. - file

Has your expensive hairdo ever come under attack from an overzealous, torch-wielding fanatic, because of a song that deserves to be the theme song for demons?

If this is so, you may have experienced a 'bought forward'.

It has long been rumoured that many artistes 'buy forwards' or distribute torches and other paraphernalia to create the illusion of an overly-receptive crowd during their performances. This is done to attract other promoters, both locally and abroad.

Elephant Man says he does not buy forwards. he simply distributes lighters and other things to his entourage, which are used during his performances.

"You have to give your entourage lighters and things like that even on stage, so that when the crowd see that, the vibes generate and them start get in the vibes as well," he said.

He says onlookers should not misinterpret this as 'buying forwards': "No, because even if you don't give them, there is still a vibe and is not like you won't get forwards. The fans come to see you and even if is five artiste and 100 people there, every artiste will have fans there to build a vibes."

Another artiste, Mr. Vegas says he doesn't believe in buying forwards and says when it is done, it is very obvious.

"Basically, nuff people do it, but some people do it out of context. Is not a problem if you have one and two bredrin wha might inna di crowd and gi yuh some forward when yuh gwaan good. nothing is wrong with that. Some man dem will bring all one hundred man as entourage and den get five hundred free ticket and give dem whe fi people come gi dem forward. So sometimes when yuh look inna di crowd, a just one likkle corner alone yuh see a light up and di rest a crowd stand up a look," he said.

He gave a reason why some artistes do it: "The thing is that every man wha sign, and wha say him mash up the show, but it look ridiculous when only one section a cheer."

Another artiste, Vybz Kartel, says there are particular artistes who are known for this in the industry.

"I know of people who will bring clappers and rocket launchers to shows. Even at (a major stage show), they did that - at the big reggae festival. If you observe, at the sound of certain artistes' names, you hear (the sound of clappers). That just a make them show up themself," he said.

At any major stage show in which Kartel performs, there is usually a large 'Kartel banner'. He says this is not the same as a bought forward.

"The community of Portmore loves Vybz Kartel and the banner is not really a 'buying forward thing' and I wouldn't put it in the same category. Is just a thing where the fans show genuine love for the artiste," he said.

However, in very much the same way that 'forwards' can be bought, it's arguable that the very undelightful 'boo' can be bought too.