By Lady English

I must admit that I was not too excited about the ‘Big’ show this November 2004 like I had been in previous years. Maybe it had something to do with the lack of excitement on the street in the weeks leading up to the event, or the fact that a lot of these artists had been in town just six months previously and none of them had anything new to offer us since we last met at the location just down the road. Whatever it was, I went through the motions as any good writer should, and picked up the pace to see what Anchor Minott, Inc. and the flurry of people onboard was ready to offer us for the seventh annual staging of this calendar event.

As I made my way to the back gate of the fenced off Bicentennial Park, the first thing I noticed – after hearing Lady Saw belting out to Lock it Up – was the scarcity of tents and huge backstage set up from last year. The lack of people scurrying around back there was also noticeable as I began my short trek towards the red carpet (hell yes!) and walk in area for the stars, media, friends, and anyone else who took the back door entrance into the venue. Scanning the activities quickly and taking in the aura of the night, I still didn’t feel excited as Saw continue her performance with I Got Your Man. She appeared to be in good shape donning a short white mini skirt, pink bodice and long blonde hair. Referring to her anatomy throughout her performance and giving it a meaningful pat, this is the Saw that we’ve all come to know and expect… no surprises there.

Assassin made an appearance next, as did the Fifth Element crew with Richie Spice, Chuck Fender and Anthony Cruz holding up the rear. However, if you blinked, you would have missed it. The performances were too short, which led me to believe that the stage management team had still not grasped the concept of how to do their job properly and had probably given the earlier new acts too much time – as always – leaving the artists that most people had come to see, not enough activity time.

Joining my media family, I got settled into a better position at the front of the stage area to witness a vastly improved Vybz Kartel take the platform. I was similarly impressed a few months earlier watching him at Sumfest in Jamaica and will risk saying that he is one of the most improved performers that I’ve seen over the last 12 months. Since shedding the all-white outfits – in what appeared to be a statement opposite of Bounty’s signature all-black attire – Kartel looked relaxed and happy in dark pink jeans, red top and a gray jacket. He danced, pranced and worked the stage area well, delivering Tek, Picture, Sweet to the Belly, and several others from his bag of tricks. As with EVERY OTHER entertainer who took to the stage after I arrived, reference was made to ‘batty boys’ and how they – the deejays - would remain defiant in their no apology stance.

From my confined space, I could not see how far the audience went back and have no reports on the capacity at the time of press; nonetheless, the thousands that came out were full of support for the artists and their condemnations of the gay lifestyle – many of them referring to the bible to back up their words. Spragga was one such deejay, and attired in red, gold and green from his head to his Puma sneakers, he had no problem deejaying who fi dead, and was probably the only artist who voiced these lyrics so clearly before launching into Backshot, Rasta Run The World, and other Spragga verses from back in the day. Before ending his set, he couldn’t help but ask the crowd if they knew the meaning of pathologist. The crowd took the bait as they realized whom he was making a stab at, but Spragga didn’t hang around to twist the blade; and even though the massives called him back to finish what he started – he didn’t return to.

Papa Keith of the 103 The Beat, was met with boo’s at 10:50 p.m. when he announced the upcoming fashion show during the next band change. The crowd wanted none of it, but PK being the professional he is, handled it well, coercing the audience to let it be. All I can say is... whoa! For my dread-locked brother with the well chiseled six pack (or was it an eight-pack?). He was fine… fine… fine. Anyway, back to business, next up, from PK to BK, Bounty Killer impressed me tonight also. In his signature black garb, he delivered his no apology stance for the gay way of life, kicking off with the Eagle & Hawk and a barrage of other BK hits. Joined by Angel Doolas for a small stint, they deejayed of the Fitness before BK turned his solo act to impressing the ladies with pure ‘gal’ tunes. It was a good solid set, and I found myself actually enjoying the Greatest for a change, and maybe coming into an appreciation for the sometimes somber, sometimes defiant and on this night – sometimes smiling deejay from Riverton, Jamaica. Nonetheless, Bounty – I must ask you to stay away from the love songs… that song on the I Swear riddim was just a little too much and just didn’t mek it!

With half an hour till midnight, a band change in progress and two headliners still to go, I knew we were cutting it close. A Miami-Dade policeman had taken up permanent residence on the stage and was continuously talking to someone on his radio or phone. Personally, I think he just wanted to get close to the artists when all was said and done, but nevertheless, he was with a threatening presence to warn everyone involved that it was soon time for the curtains to come down. Five minutes later, it was time to Rise to the Occasion, as the petite but stylish Sizzla – absent of his Rastafarian robes – took the stage… literally. Looking relaxed in black denim with a liberal sprinkling of red, gold and green thrown in for good measure, he was Holding Firm as he Mashed Dem Down, and remained Solid As a Rock before he sang an ode to his Empress Divine. It was about this time that I found myself with tears in my eyes – or maybe it was the song Empress Divine? Whatever it was, Sizzla has that ‘thing’ about him that really touches my soul – and if he had more time, I could have been bawling in the press pit! Taking Over, Just One of Those Days and Thank You Mama were over before they began, when with ten minutes to go, the Doctor - Beenie Man, appeared on stage before Sizzla had completed his set. It was an act of desperation, a crime of passion and a need to let the people see him… Beenie Man was here, and lo and behold, he was going to perform even if it was just for five minutes! As a troubled Sizzla faded discreetly into the background, the 2004 King of the Dancehall took his throne and closed the show while begging Miami Dade for an extra 15 minutes. The 15 minutes did not materialize and at midnight – it was all over.

I would not be Lady English if I did not put in my two cents worth – so here it is! Post show time, the concertgoers and I was faced with the traditional not enough time for the headliners kind of show! You would think that they would have this stage management thing sorted out by the seventh year wouldn’t you? Yeah, right! Already I’m hearing of greatly inflated numbers for those who went to the show. Either some people can’t count, or some people really want to believe the voices in their head! Thirty thousand it wasn’t, twenty thousand it wasn’t, and as someone relayed to me today, if it was ten thousand – it was a lot! (Don’t quote me!) Elephant Man was absent from the line up on the day, but I don’t think he was really missed? Reports of a good set from Tanto Metro & Devonte, as well as newcomers Brick and Lace also came my way, and I understand that Beenie Man did apologize to Sizzla in the hotel lobby after the show for his impromptu but necessary appearance on stage during Sizzla’ set. All in all, the Caribbean Reggae Fest wavered this year somewhat. Although some of the performances were stronger than last year, in other areas it was one step forward, two steps backwards. Nonetheless, it still remains South Florida’s strongest stage show and we want to take ownership and keep it on the map. So until next year, in Anchor Minott Inc.’s own words – God Bless Us All – and more specifically – God Bless You!