Tanola Jackson, Star Writer

Voicemail builds the vibe at the Gleaner Company's Olympic Party. - Nathaniel Stewart Photos

It was an Olympic fanfare on Saturday when The Gleaner in association with Fruta and Digicel hosted an Olympic party at the company's complex at 7 North Street Kingston.

The party dubbed 'Jamaica To Di Worl' Olympic Party saw a huge turnout of patrons fully decked out in the national colours of black, green and gold. So too was the decor inside the venue. The artistes also came decked out in their colours and by 4 p.m., the special VIP area was filled with entertainers drinking, eating, playing dominoes and having a good time before taking the stage.

Large crowd

Outside by the stage Portmore's Area Code 876 was creating a strong vibe as DJ Too Sweet waved his hands to the music as the large crowd followed suit.

The energy only increased when Star of the Month, 'energy god' Elephant Man was the first to get the crowd started when he stormed on stage (the company's second-floor balcony) performing hits like Gully Creeper, Nuh Linga, Calm Dem Down and Sweep among others, to screaming fans. Elephant soon surprised the crowd by going on the ledge, precariously hanging on to the railing as he danced and got a huge response.

Etana brought her usual spiritual vibes while performing Roots, I Am Not Afraid and Wrong Address.

Shane O lashed out with Crab Inna Barrel while making Lightening Flash. A youngster was brought on by MC Nikki Z who performed his War song, which was a hit with the audience.

String of hits

The Coppershot Sound then kept the momentum by playing a string of hits like Damion Marley's The Mission, Demarco's Duppy Know Who Fi Frighten, and Mavado's We Moving, while urging all proud Jamaicans to wave their flags.

Voicemail then restarted the artiste segment as they delivered an energetic set performing Bembe, before declaring that the females Bring yuh body come and then danced away with the Nuh Linga and Sweep.

D'Angel also set the stage a Blaze as she had the crowd railing to songs like Good Fi Dem, Stall and old hits like Downtown Girl and Baby Father.

'We got the flow'

Wayne Marshall had the place in a frenzy when he chanted, We got the flow and Overcome. He was later followed by Classical and Baby Trish.

By this time, 'Fluffy to di Worl' Miss Kitty was called on stage to take over as MC.

The final seven contestants from the Digicel Rising Stars competition also showed their support as they each performed a familiar song.

Konshens patriotically opened his set with the National Anthem before later moving into Winner and Mi Modda.

Spice came to 'talk di tings dem' as usual as she declared, 'Mi Done Tek Yuh Man, So Wat' before doing her version of Alicia Keys' No One. She was later joined on stage by Keiva 'The Diva'.

Macka Diamond, Queen Paula and Stacious were among the other females that also represented well for the ladies.

Dancers!

But an Olympic party could not be complete without the dancers getting in on the action, as Ravers Clavers, Sample 6, Black Blingas, Timeless, Shelly Belly and Ice each had a chance to showcase their latest dance moves inspired by Usain Bolt.

Other guests who turned out in support of the event included the likes of athlete Germaine Gonzales, and KC Graham - high school coach of Melaine Walker and Kerron Stewart. Also, the family members of Veronica Campbell, Shelly Ann Fraser, Sherone Simpson and Melaine Walker attended.

Other artistes who supported the event were Prestige, Chris Martin, Chuck Fenda and Bramma.

The event was also sponsored by Best Dressed Chicken, Honey Bun, KFC, Wray and Nephew and Magnum.

Left: Dancer Bone Crusher dropped a few moves close to the edge of the second-floor balcony during the Gleaner Company's Olympic Party. Right: Ice shows off his Gully Creeper moves high above the ground when he performed at the Gleaner Company's Olympic Party.