VP Records 25^th Anniversary Celebration
Radio City Music Hall, New York City

Photography and article by Diane 'Livonn' Adam ©

There was plenty of excitement at VP Records 25^th Anniversary Celebration held at Radio City Music Hall in New York City on Saturday, May 8^th.  I Arrived in Times Square early in the morning on the day of the show so that I would have time to get acclimated with my surroundings and take in the sights and sounds while in the heart of the Big Apple.

After deserting the chaos of Time Square, a good friend rescued me for a ride to Harlem for lunch and later to The Village just to hang out.   Later I arrived back to my hotel in Times Square and got ready to take the short stroll through the square to Radio City Music Hall to pick up my credentials and find out the schedule of performers for the night.  To my surprise the VP Records representative told me that the show would start at 7 p.m. and end promptly at 10pm, so I was glad that I had arrived early to ensure that I would not miss any of the artists scheduled to perform. 

After checking in, I was quickly shuffled to the lower level of the Radio City Music Hall where many of the press were already assembled and networking while being treated to a very nice spread of snacks and drinks before the show.  There were speakers set up near the front of the large room with a small screen behind a homemade box type stage.  I seemed to be the only one getting excited about heading out to the hall to get my seat and settle in for the show.  Everyone else was just leisurely hanging about, so I began asking security about going inside the auditorium for the show.  I was advised that the press/media would not be allowed in the auditorium to watch the live show but would view it on the small screen set up in the albeit nice but basement location of Radio City Music Hall.  I was shocked to find out that I had traveled all the way from California to watch the performances on what I felt to be essentially, television.  What made it even more weird was that all of the media seemed to be just fine with the setup.  

Gathering up my photo gear I took my puzzlement and frustration up to the main lobby where I made several failed attempts at getting into the show.  After my final attempt, I was gingerly allowed to stand against the back wall inside the auditorium and told sternly not to move until security gave me permission to head up to the front of the stage to take photographs of the artist performing during the short night.  After standing there for less than 15 seconds, I headed towards the stage and took a random seat where I could see the performances.  The auditorium was more than half-empty at that time, so I choose a seat midway and watched my back in case security spotted me and hauled me out of the auditorium and sent me back to the basement.   Luciano and Morgan Heritage were performing but I was so far from the stage that taking a photo at that time seemed pointless but easing myself closer to the stage seemed to be the ticket. 

As Luciano and Morgan Heritage ended their show, in what seemed like 5 minutes, I finally talked to someone from VP Records who cautiously allowed me to take a seat in the VIP section that interestingly was never even 1/3 occupied during the entire show.  Finally, I got settled in and grabbed my camera to take photographs of artists that did rush up performances that somehow reminded me of a commercial of coming attractions.  Not being able to see the show from the beginning made for some confusion, since I was expecting to see some sort of introduction that would highlight the many years that VP Records has been forwarding Reggae music.  However, from all accounts that never happened, the show just began. 

Many of the performers got just minutes on stage and there were a few that just made appearances like Tanya Stephens.    Host Wycliff Jean kept it real when he played a short recording of country singer Kenny Rogers singing a reggae song that basically said, batty man go way, we nah want you here.  It was so funny that Wycliff played it again and again so that people would believe that it was really the voice of the country singer.

Elephant Man, Beenie Man, Beres Hammond,
Beres Hammond & Maxi Priest, Wycleff Jean,
Marcia Griffiths & Son, Shaggy, Rik Rok,
Lady Saw, Tonto Metro, Devonte, Sasha

Though I was looking forward to seeing scheduled performers Capelton, Buju Banton and Sizzla, they did not perform.  But I must say that even if it was a rush up ting, Beenie Man, Lady Saw, Baby Cham, Assassin, Wayne Wonder, Tanto Metro & Devonte and T.O.K all did a splendid job in the short time they were given on stage.  Marcia Griffith and son appeared on stage for a short but satisfying set of songs like "I Shall Sing" and "Dreamland".    A smiling Shaggy and partner Rik Rock received tremendous applause when they appeared on stage to perform their every popular "It Wasn't Me" and "Carolina".   There was no holds barred when The "Energy God" Elephant Man arrived on stage with a bright red clown style afro wig and set his show in motion like a bulldozer gong downhill with no brakes.  Ele's was full of his trademark antics of jumping on the highest speakers while he bumped and grinded his way into the atmosphere.  Now, finally the crowd was on their feet and in motion as Ele did a fantastic job of performing his songs "Log On", " Pon de River Pon de Bank" and "Cock Up Your Bumper".  Another more satisfying performance came from Beres Hammond who brought Maxi Priest on stage to perform alongside him as the crowd went wild.    It takes a really extraordinary band to back up each and every performers on stage at VP Records 25^th Anniversary Celebration and none could do it better than the great Allstar Band featuring Saxophonist, Dean Fraser.

As the show abruptly ended (due to strict Union standards in NY) and the crowd headed out to Times Square so did I to take a photograph of the lighted Radio City Music Hall marquee high above and to hear the buzz on the street.  Many attending expressed that they were happy to see the show but feel that they were cheated by the short performances and the no shows they thought they would see perform.  I too could felt their concern and disappointment, but I took it in stride because I am always so happy to see Reggae performers getting their props at such a high profile venue.

Reggae Review congratulates VP Records on their 25^th Anniversary and wishes them continued success as they move into a new millennium of promoting and forwarding the best in Reggae music.

Blessed Love

Hail to the King, Haile Selassie I – His Imperial Majesty