KINGSTON, JAMAICA - Sumfest 2011 for I-Octane was a special one for
both he and his fans as the artiste literally almost set the venue afire!
This year, he’s back and just what will happen …
that’s left to be seen on Dancehall Night, Thursday, July 19 at the Catherine
Hall Entertainment complex in Montego Bay.
The artiste has been blazing a trail leading up to
the big night by his dominance on the local charts.
Last week at the Music Industry Awards the Digicel
Brand Ambassador copped two awards — Singjay of the Year and Prince of Reggae.
At the 2012 staging of the International Reggae
and World Music Awards (IRAWMA) I-Octane beat out tough acts such as Tarrus
Riley, Capleton, Luciano, Tony Rebel and Queen Ifrica to to cop the award
for Most Cultural/Educational Entertainer.
“I have worked really really hard and the awards
are like of acknowledgement of what I was doing,” the singjay said about the
accolades.
Commenting on his upcoming Sumfest performance he
said he can’t wait. “Trust me, I think I have matured a whole lot more over the
past year and I am eager to show my fans that. They can expect something really
special from me,” he said.
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The St Kitts Jazz and Blues Festival has come and gone but
lingering in the minds of those who went are some of the scintillating
performances that unfolded.
Friday, June 29 performers are no doubt some of the artistes enjoying rave
reviews from patrons.
Scheduled to begin at 9:00 pm it was an hour late. Things kicked off with Ruff Kutt
taking the stage to back Jamaica musical comedian Lovindeer. He was in his
element having patrons cracking up with his facial expressions and witty
lyrics.
Mr Festival Eric Donaldson brought back sweet memories as he injected the
festival spirit into the venue singing songs such as Cherry Oh baby, but it was
the on festival songs that had the fans singing away with him like Lonely
Nights and Living On Free Food Ticket.
Following a band change it was time for British saxophonist Courtney Pine who
showed why he is rated among the best.
Next up was Digicel’s brand ambassador I-Octane who just seems to get better
with every performance.
It was heightened excitement when he took the stage at Warner Park backed by
Ruff Kutt. He blasted on stage with No Love Inna Dem — that was certainly not
an issue with his fans in St Kitts though as they gave that aplenty to
him.
Nah Wash, Some Bwoy Too Licky Licky were some of the other numbers he performed
before calling up a female fan to do Once More.
The singjay closed off his half-hour long set with Puff It and love di vibes —
but the fans would have none of it as he had to take back the stage to sing
Puff It again and he also did badmind fi the year and thank you father!
Following a strong set as the one he delivered it took a group like Morgan
Heritage to keep the energy flowing - that they did and then some.
Pop Caan was next and his act turned out to be sole blur on the night as he
failed to ignite the estimated 8,000 patrons. Performing on tracks did not help
his cause any.
Closing act Damian Marley made up big time when he took center-stage. Energy
revitalized he immediately set about getting the crowd involved in a sing-along
to songs such as Affairs of the Heart, Welcome To Jamrock and In Too Deep.
The Marley heir brought the curtains down on the event in superb style.
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