Krista Henry, Staff Reporter

New Year's Bembe was in top form last Thursday night as a capacity crowd partied away the first day of 2009 at the popular weekly event.

Bembe selector Richie Feelings, Rebel T, Area Code 876 and Firelinks kept a strong dancing vibe, making hilarious comments throughout the night. They ensured that the event which went to almost 3 a.m. was a success.

When the STAR got to the venue, Richie Feelings was in full form with some R & B hits as he played for the independent womenand pulled an early Rampin Shop to a strong response.

Feelings kept the crowd occupied with his New Year wishes as he talked about the hot women who wanted Blackberry cellphones for their Christmas gifts. To the amusement of the crowd Feelings drew for his 'old faithful cheap' Nokia phone as he flung it on the floor of the Bembe stage to show its durability.

Rebel T soon followed, starting their set with soul music, moved into a little reggae and soon had the crowd moving to dancehall music.

With Bembe having experienced low crowd support towards the end of 2008, the crowd came out to support the event for the New Year.

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Noticeably missing, were a few of the Bembe regulars such as the popular dancers and the video crews. Only after 1 a.m. did a lone cameraman tackle the Bembe crowd to film the outrageous dance moves.

Area Code's DJ Kevin kept the vibe going as he hailed the 'Gully God' and the 'Gaza', playing songs from both Mavado and Vybz Kartel.

The deejays were a hot topic for the night as the selectors played tracks from both artistes, refusing to pick sides. Both artistes got a few boos from the crowd when their songs were played but they also received huge forwards.

Firelinks hit the Bembe stage with his usual energy as he spoke what was on his mind. He had patrons at the front forming a 'daggering train'. Dancer Shelly Belly caused a stir when his female dance partner's wig flew high into the air during the heat of dancing.

After playing for the women, Firelinks did a tune for tune Mavado vs Kartel segment, proclaiming that he was friends to both artistes and thus couldn't take sides in the lyrical war.

Firelinks urged the crowd to cheer for both entertainers, as a small section started to boo he told them to keep it for the stage shows and not for the parties. He encouraged the fans to keep it lyrical and peaceful.