MAVADO MAGIC

BY LEIGH-ANN WORRELL | MON, DECEMBER 09, 2013 - 12:05 AM

Barbados - The fifth edition of the Hennessy Artistry show was served up, straight, no chaser at Kensington Oval on Saturday night.

Headline act Mavado treated the audience to his slew of hits, spanning earlier tunes like Top Shotta Nuh Miss and Gal A Mad Ova to the more recent March Out, Can’t Happen and Million Dollar Man.

Coming to the stage just after 2 on Sunday morning, the "Gully God" made sure there was something sweet for the ladies and the hardcore tunes for the men during his hour on stage.

Mavado was preceded by the “Royal Family of Reggae” Morgan Heritage.

With lilting melodies and strong vocals, the band sent the thousands in the crowd swaying to the sounds of Best Friend, Down By The River, Don’t Haffi Dread before rounding off with a Perfect Love Song.

Lead vocalist Peter Peetah Morgan also allowed the deep tones of his brother Gramps Morgan to take centre stage during the hour-long set.

Morgan Heritage also sang the praises of the late South African freedom fighter Nelson Mandela, who died on Thursday after a prolonged illness.

I-Octane was another favourite for the night, his contribution was filled with messages against domestic violence and remembering those who died with songs like Lose A Friend.

The energetic Jamaican star would Go Hard, but still found the time to praise the contribution of single mothers through Mama You Alone.

Still very much of a lover, I-Octane also spent more than ten minutes of his set serenading a special birthday girl, dedicating L.O.V.E You to the smiling fan.

Junior Kelly was also a sweet success on the night, blessing the stage withBlaze and Sunshine.

Even though he was not well known, Richie Campbell, a reggae singer from Portugal, made a good impression on the notoriously hard-to-please Barbadian crowd. Propelled by a seemingly never-ending store of energy, Campbell got his audience to sing.

Local band NexCyx prepared the Kensington Oval stage, while local DJ acts entertained between sets during the six-hour event.

Source: nationnews.com