BY SIMONE MORGAN—-
PROMOTER GT Taylor and his team can take a bow for a well-executed GT Taylor Extravaganza on Tuesday night at Independence Park in Black River, St Elizabeth.
The 13th staging of the popular show attracted thousands of patrons and featured some of reggae/dancehall’s top acts including Sizzla Kalonji, Bounty Killer, Yellowman, and Ninjaman, who all gave outstanding performances.
  Top: Sizzla, Bottom: Bounty Killer
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The early segment saw favourable sets from George Nooks, Nature, Iba Mahr, Mikelous and Johnny P.
Chuck, Fenda gave the evening’s first big showing, throwing down songs like I Swear, Coming Over Tonight and Gash Dem.
The final phase of his set saw Fenda doing an emotional rendition of Mama.
The veteran Yellowman could do no wrong especially for the ladies as he jumped, gyrated sexually, removed his shirt and boasted about his sexual prowess.
From his vast catalogue, he did Blueberry Hill, I’m Getting Married and Zunguzeng.
Romaine Virgo gave another captivating performance. He had the crowd singing along to Can’t Sleep, Taking You Home, Rich in Love, and Mi Prefer Wait.
All it took was a pose from Ninjaman to send the full house into a frenzy. Suited in white and his hair braided, the flamboyant deejay freestyled for most of his set.
He threw lyrical blows at Tommy Lee, Tony Matterhorn Merciless, among others, then invited guests to share the stage with him including his daughter Ninja Princess, Ghost, Black Queen, and General B.
The dawn of Boxing Day saw strong performances from Aidonia and Khago.
Although few in numbers, the female entertainers were solid. Lady G and D’Angel were well received but it was Macka Diamond who stood out, hurling insults at her latest musical rival, Spice, and the audience was all for it, even demanding an encore.
Although most of the performers were well received, some failed to impress. The most surprising being Beenie Man. The ‘King of the Dancehall’ struggled even when he performed his most popular songs Wickedest Slam and Old Dog.
“A long time mi no have a show like this but is Jamaica this, so anything possible,” a seemingly disappointed Beenie Man said between songs.
His exit made way for Sizzla Kalonji who ‘set fire’ to Babylon and homosexuality, but also thrilled the ladies with Give Me a Try, Woman I Need You and Just One of Those Days.
The final 25 minutes of the show belonged to Bounty Killer and members of his ANG clan. Halfway through his performance, he invited singer I-Octane on stage. They not only performed their hit Badmind Dem a Pree but kept fans entertained with other popular hits.
The crowd saluted with firecrackers, torches and aerosol can fumes.
It was almost 6 am Boxing Day when I-Octane left the stage, bringing an end to another GT Taylor Christmas Extravaganza.
Part Proceeds from the event will go towards various projects in St Elizabeth.
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