The New Year started off as an action-packed, stampeded- filled, bottle-dodging year, which saw me hiding and ducking for cover in an attempt to protect my life and my fluff.

Mi affi say big up to the police officers whe tried to reassure me that everything cris, while we were all huddled under the stage, having realised seh mi tun idiot! Mi cyan tell unnu how mi took off so fass offa de stage and lef Pretty Boy Floyd who mi affi big up because him was truly the last man standing.

Inna her head

When mi see the first bottle 'lick' de woman inna her head, I knew it was time for me to run outta town like Luther pon a scooter. Is a good thing mi is a girl wha always travel wid backup slippers, so mi just jump inna it and head to mi vehicle.

Now, I can fully understand that patrons have paid their hard-earned money to see their favourite artiste and would be quite disgruntled and livid if them artiste nuh perform. But to start throwing bottles and injure persons who are just as upset, just nuh mek nuh sense at all.

Bottle throwing

Why throw bottles and create mayhem, when the artistes who yuh want are securely nestled in their tour buses, protected by their entourage? Come on people, yuh affi think, especially in these times.

Mi see Diana Ross come here and keep up one bag a almshouse, and the people dem well vex an well cross, cause a nuff money dem did fork out but dem neva behave so.

When patrons operate in that stoneage kind of way, it only strengthens the notion seh a pure 'bugi-yaga' people go dancehall show. And, although this notion has been proven true many times by the said patrons, that is not a true reflection.

Bumflicking

The New Year started with an unselfish mandate by Shaggy to give back to the vulnerable, the innocent, the less fortunate. The Shaggy And Friends show sell off!

All people who did just come fi go back go brag and show off pon dem friend seh dem did deh a Shaggy thing was there. Unnuh know Jamaicans show off nuh rahtid!

But, it was the essence of the show and the vibe on the ground that was breathtaking. At no point was I worried about running for cover or planning an escape route in case anything. Neither was I preoccupied with thoughts of 'bumflicking' over a fence when the stampede starts. It was an elegant, fun, classy evening, infused with elements and sounds of reggae, alternative and dancehall.

Still be civil

It therefore goes to show that people can come out and have a good time for a good cause and still be civil.

Mi affi seh though, Shaggy and him team was spot on with this event. And, for its inaugural debut, they scored big time. The show definitely delivered. I'm especially happy about the turnout because a one thing mi know, when a time fi Jamaicans rally roun' for a cause wha touch dem heart and dem spine, nuh baddy cyan stop we!!

When I saw the display of unity and togetherness mi just a wonder why dat can't spill ova inna de general populace on a daily basis.

In the same way Shaggy has inspired us to reach in, rise above and give, as a people and country we affi do dat as well.

It would be a disaster if we can't step out of the tragedy of 2008, which for many was a dark year. It's impressive that some entertainers are being good corporate citizens and are giving back to those that propelled them to stardom in the first place.

Entertainment is a vital part and aspect of the human psyche and we cannot allow gorilla-like behavior to damage that medium. Things are not always going to go as planned, but as human beings, we need not be so savage. Mek we brush off de dutty attitude whe a hold back de country and get down to hard work, diligence, sacrifice and prayer.