Kandré McDonald, Freelance Writer

Jagga B (left), MC Nuffy (right) and a patron mug for the camera at Jagga B's Dancehall Biggest Giveaway 2008. - Nathaniel Stewart photos

When Bounty Killer took the stage at 7:20 a.m. last Sunday morning at Jagga B's Dancehall Biggest Giveaway session staged at Arizon Inn, Port Henderson Road, Portmore, it was clear what his intention was.

"Who is the biggest gal clown inna Jamaica?" Bounty queried, as the crowd's visual alignment elevated to greet a laughing Beenie Man who was in the VIP area dancing and laughing. The Killer got angrier and questioned: "Wait unnuh fraid fi answer, mi seh a who a di biggest gal clown inna Jamaica?" When he got the response from a section of the crowd that pleased him he went on to sing "if mi did want mi could a get it back" and the crowd erupted.

When Bounty had got what he wanted out of the crowd, he then went on to chastise homosexuals. "Mi want all a di 'fish' man and woman dem fi come out. Si di sea deh," he said pointing to the ocean at the back of the venue, "unnuh guh jump off."

When Bounty and his cohorts left the stage the spotlight swiftly shifted to Beenie Man from whom they requested a response. There was even a chant of Beenie! Beenie!, as the audience begged The Doctor to take the stage, but this was to no avail. Beenie was simply there to enjoy himself with his fans.

Prior to the performances, the event was being run on a roller coaster course. The musical selection was up to par and the patrons were enjoying themselves as they profiled the night away. However, there were too many interruptions by persons wishing to big up everyone who crossed their mind.

What was also obvious was the fact that the patrons did not simply come to party but also to 'floss'. Many were making strong fashion statements as they wore some of the biggest brand name clothes including designs by Gucci, Armani, Louis Vuitton, Christian Dior and Guess. This trendy fashion was complemented by patrons sipping Hennessy, Alizé, Hypnotiq and other expensive beverages as if they were going out of style.

Beenie Man

With daylight fast approaching, each selector was given 30 minutes to express themselves musically. However, this was soon cut to 20 minutes when they calculated the number of selectors to play and the fact that live performances were not factored in.

Stone Love relaxed the crowd with some soothing selections. Afrique took over at 5:10 a.m. and gave a splendid showing, as did Hotta Ball who 'burn' a fire that ignited the entire venue, and Rebel T.

Sky Juice who had been waiting patiently backstage got a chance to play at 7:10 a.m. However, his set was interrupted to facilitate Bounty and the Alliance. When he resumed after the performances he continued to 'burn a fire'.

Tony Matterhorn took over at 7:40 a.m. in a rather delinquent and hilarious manner, first asking: "dem a gwaan like macka inna mi bed?" Noting that he was there to "talk di things them", he went on to some rather provocative sexual commentary that he backed up with some hard-core dancehall selections.

Initially when THE STAR team arrived at the venue at 1:30 a.m., it was like a ghost town with only a few attendants making final preparations and the jerk chicken vendors arriving to capture the best spots. When we returned at 3:30 a.m., there was a total transformation on what is dubbed 'the Back Road', with cars lining the street in all directions and patrons standing in lines that stretched for several metres.

When THE STAR team exited the venue at 8:05 Sunday morning, lots of money had been given away, many patrons were leaving and still a few others stayed behind. It was at this point that Tony Matterhorn officially sent home the 'bleachers' as the heat from the morning sun intensified.

The 'fairy princess' was out in full force, donning ghetto-prom style outfits to create a scene at Jagga B's Dancehall Biggest Giveaway 2008, held at Arizon Inn, Port Henderson Road, on Saturday, January 5.