DANCEHALL JAM JAM
Original Dancehall Jam Jam 2005
'Original Dancehall Jam Jam' covers eras
published: Friday | December 9, 2005
Mel Cooke, Freelance Writer
Buju Banton will perform at the 'Original Dancehall Jam Jam. - CONTRIBUTED
FROM BIG Youth to Gyptian, Burru Banton to Perfect and Pinchers to I-Wayne, a blend of performers was announced for the third staging of The Original Dancehall Jam Jam on Wednesday afternoon.
Also on the extensive line-up for the third staging of the concert, put on by singer Cocoa Tea, are Capleton, Sizzla, Buju Banton, Anthony B, Jr. Kelly, Chuck Fendah, Lady G, Nadine Sutherland, Ninja Man, Louie Culture, Sanchez, Tanya Stephens, Turbulence, Terry Linen, Terro Fabulous, George Nooks and Josey Wales, along with many others.
Metromedia, Black Kat, Turbo Sonic, Cave Man, Bodyguard, Mighty Crown and One Love will provide the music.
Plans for the concert, set for Saturday, December 31, were outlined at the Versalles Hotel in May Pen, Clarendon, not far from the venue, the Jamalco Sports Club in Halse Hall.
Cocoa Tea pointed out, however, that it is more than having a good time and making money. "This programme is all about developing the tourism product on the south coast and giving something to charity," he said, in closing off the brief function, noting that so far donations had been made to Roaring Lion FC.
SPIN-OFF
"It is a thing that brings a spin-off to the area, the supermarket, the hairdresser, the jerk chicken man, the man pushing the handcart," Cocoa Tea said.
Michael Lunan traced the development of the show from pulling in 8,000 persons to the Leiba Esso Tiger Market in 2003, to a relocation to accommodate 15,000 persons at Jamalco last year.
"Dancehall Jam Jam is an event that makes us remember a time when people used to jam together rub a dub style. They move on to new things and forget. Cocoa Tea has decided to keep the culture alive," Lunan said.
Veronica Reid of WorldTron Best Buy and Kia Motors expressed pleasure at the company being the official transport sponsors, while Zephroy Campbell of Red Stripe said, "This year we had to come in in a big way. We are the official beer of Dancehall Jam Jam." Matthew Sales of Kingston Ice described the concert as a "phenomenal and successful piece of live entertainment".
"As part of our corporate responsibility, we see the need for original dancehall to be promoted," Sales said.
And Everton Chambers of Atlas Security assured that "in collaboration with the police we will be ensuring that all patrons and vehicles will be secure. We are asking people to desist from taking weapons to the venue. You will be checked and the weapons will be taken."
The function's host, Culture UB, explained the meaning of Jam Jam. "A lot of people ask me why Cocoa Tea jam and jam again, why he double jam," Culture UB said to chuckles. He then explained that the first 'jam' stands for "jamming against misconception" and the second is for "Jamaica accommodating millions".
- Mel Cooke
