Spicy Sumfest Friday night

Western Bureau:

If not for the 'dissing showdown' between Alkaline and Tommy Lee Sparta, which generated the show's most excitement, Sumfest Friday night's unofficial 'artist of the night' title might have fallen into Spice's lap.

She was rolled on stage lying on a bed, clad in an elegant robe, with a microphone in one hand and a bottle of champagne in the other. It gave the feeling that the top-flight deejay and her 'Team Spice' dancers, also in elegant robes, were doing a video shoot at the Catherine Hall Entertainment Centre, Montego Bay.

Outside of the glamorous outfits, revealed when the robes were removed, classy dance moves and Spice's risquÈ interaction with a Japanese patron blended perfectly with her lyrical brilliance.

After starting with Sheet and her energy captivating fans, Spice still managed to lift the tempo with Needle Eye. She then brought out a shovel, declaring that she was going to bury the "dirty men" molesting little girls.

After rapping about economic struggles in Jamaica, Spice did So Mi Like It. She proceeded to 'big up' Vybz Kartel as he has given her the biggest hit of her career, then dazzled fans with Romping Shop. She left the stage during Indicator but was promptly called to finish it.

Dexta Daps's set was rich in excitement, energy, and charisma, including 7Eleven, Wine Fe Mi, and Bring It to the Owner.

Bounty Killer, Mavado and Aidonia left no doubt that deejay and singjay music remain potent. Bounty and Mavado picked out their catalogues' gems, while Aidonia once again proved that he deserves his place among dancehall's big guns.

Shenseea's delivery of Double Six and Jiggle Jiggle, alongside her sexy persona gave the impression that she is on her way to stardom.

Tifa, who probably performed far too early, produced the goods, reminding all that she is the boss of matie songs. K Queens did well enough with hard-core lyrics.

Much could be said for Devin Di Dakta, the lyrically smooth Singer J, the exciting Nigerian Patornking, the promising young Jahmiel, and dancing masters, Ding Dong and The Ravers Clavers. However, they performed when many patrons were still entering the venue.