DJ Jigga - nathaniel stewart

THE 2008 Green Synergy Jamaican champion DJ Jigga is relaxing after placing third in the Green Synergy Regional Finals held in Curaçao. This is the highest a Jamaican has placed in the regional finals since DJ Nicco placed seventh in 2006.

Only 23 years old, and after four years of playing professionally as a disc jockey, André 'DJ Jigga' Reid, has conquered many heights.

Competing against seven competitors on Mambo Beach in Curaçao, DJ Jigga battled not only other skilled disc jocks but a language barrier in the Dutch-speaking island.

A man of few words, DJ Jigga won himself US$1,000 (J$76,000) for placing third and US$500 (J$38,000) for best dance routine, which was provided by Dance Xpressions, who accompanied the DJ.

According to Jigga, it was his first time in Curaçao, where he stayed for four days for the competition. "It was good, Curaçao has a different culture, so it was nice," he told THE STAR.

More practice

While Jigga says he would have wanted more practice to have a better shot at the Green Synergy regional title, he says that he prepared in Curaçao by visiting local music spots. "I went to di clubs while there to look what type of music dem like and played dat as much as possible," he said.

Jigga was beaten by eventual winner DJ Frankie Baby from St Maarten and last year's champion, DJ Fines, from the Bahamas, who came second. While DJ Jigga thought DJ Fines had a lot of skill, he was not impressed by DJ Frankie Baby. He said, "I think 'cause Frankie was from around there that's why he won, he can talk to dem in their language, play dem song so he had the upper hand."

According to Jigga, his biggest 'forwards' for the night came for songs such as Dutty Wine by Tony Matterhorn and We Be Burning by Sean Paul, as well as when the females from Dance Xpressions performed. Outside of that, Bob Marley's One Love also scored a big hit.

For Jigga, the future looks bright as he now looks forward to getting more bookings. The young DJ starts his internship at Fame FM this Friday and will leave the island to play at a club in Thailand in December.