DESPITE AN ON-STAGE BRAWL, “GHETTO SPLASH 22” LIVED UP TO ITS BILLING!

By ‘Kediesha Perry/Observer writer—

A member of the audience who had walked onstage during Jahshii’s performance is removed from the venue by security forces. (Photos: Karl Mclarty)

DESPITE an on-stage brawl among dancehall deejay Brysco and members of the Cyclox Security Team at Ghetto Splash at the Waterhouse Mini Stadium in St Andrew on Wednesday, organizer Patrick Roberts said the show lived up to its billing.

“Each year, to avoid any mishaps that may take place, we enforce a backstage philosophy — meaning that VIP and backstage are in one. We separate the [arm]bands and so we have bands that are for VIP while other bands are for production, that both take you backstage. What we did was strictly prohibit persons that are not welcomed on a next man’s set to enter the stage, so we employed 30 additional security to deal with backstage. Jahshii indicated that he wanted to do a professional set for his people; hence he didn’t want anyone to come on his set. Brysco decided to take the other side of the stage and went on the stage, and that’s where the security was taking him off stage and things kicked off,” Roberts explained to the Jamaica Observer.

“It never affected Jahshii’s delivery,” Roberts insisted.

The incident took place approximately 5:30 am on Wednesday morning, which sent many scampering amidst the chaos. Uniformed members of the Jamaica Constabulary Force [JCF] and Jamaica Defense Force [JDF], who were present, had to spring into action to get the situation under control.

A visibly irate Brysco was accompanied off the premises by lawmen, along with his entourage, following his performance.

Another man who had jumped onto the stage during the incident had to be accosted by multiple security personnel and taken off the compound. Roberts said the entertainer was not charged.

The crowd was visibly smaller afterwards but the organizer reiterated that overall, it was a successful staging. He hailed Capleton, Jahshii, D’Angel, and Vanessa Bling as outstanding acts.

“The show was excellently executed. The production, the clarity, the performances…it was just artiste after artiste without band changes. It was just vibes. The turnout was marvelous. At one stage I was saying it was gonna be a late crowd but by midnight everywhere was packed,” he said.

D’Angel delivered a flirty set. Decked out in fishnet stockings and a monokini, along with thigh high boots, she invited a patron on stage to dance with her. Her selections included No Worries, Baby Father, and Downtown Girl.

Vanessa Bling was also a crowd favourite, spewing the lyrics to Independent Ladies, Future Guaranteed, and Stop Gwaan Like Yuh Tuff.

Capleton, 450 and Bounty Killer also delivered memorable sets.

Also on the line-up were Jahmiel, Deep Jahi, Marcy Chin, Bayka, Biggs Don, Skeng, Kraff, Jah Frass, Quada, Kash, Malie Don, Kiprich, Blacker, Rose Don, Laa Lee, Marksman, 10Tik, Shane O, Munga Honourable, and Bugle.

Ghetto Splash was first held in Craig Town in Kingston. It was later moved to the National Heroes’ Park in 1996. Since 2012 it has been held at its present venue.