Hot, hype, high-energy YVAs

Krista Henry, Staff Reporter

The incomparable Elephant Man always puts on a show. - Photos by Colin Hamilton/freelance photographer

The Youth View Awards (YVAs) showed vast improvement at its third staging held last Saturday night at the National Indoor Sports Centre. The awards show boasted elegant décor, great organisation and a crowd that was definitely "young, hot and hype".

With red carpet and pre-show performances which led into a beautiful black-and-white-themed event, the YVAs was all about fashion, short and energetic performances and fans showing love to their favourite entertainers. The men for the night stood out, most of them wearing well-fitted suits with touches of colour. Aidonia looked dapper in his suit, so did Beenie Man ,who brought off his outfit with a red shirt. Host Chino wore green and changed numerous times throughout the night, each outfit looking equally classic. DeMarco, DJ Nicholas, G Whizz and the Coppershot crew stood out as well.

Women artistes

For the women, Ce'Cile represented in a short, blue number while Raine Seville sparkled in green with black knee-high boots. Tifa chose to be elegant in a long, blue dress with black gloves, while D'Angel and dancer Mystic both wore black.

But the stars weren't the only well-dressed persons, as patrons, which numbered more than last year, came out in their 'hypest' outfits, sporting the latest dancehall trends.

Hosted by international singer, rapper and socialite Teyanna Taylor, Chino and Lady Rennae, and featuring American rap duo New Boyz, the event was long, but interesting. The show kicked off with members of the YVA Nation singing and doing a dance number to Jay-Z's Run This Town, followed by Aidonia. Performing Evil Head with a few lines from We Run Uptown, Aidonia got a good response from the extremely energetic crowd. The YVA Nation returned with three lovely women in gold, one-piece suits performing Beyoncé's Single Ladies.

Bob marley tributes

Voicemail showed off their dancing moves in their set and were accompanied by dancers Overmars and Above A Dem. Saturday having been Bob Marley's birthday, the YVAs acknowledged the day with Tessanne Chin performing Woman Hold Yuh Head and No Woman Nuh Cry, wooing the crowd with her strong voice. Etana too remembered Marley with Redemption Song followed by her song Roots.

Other performances for the night came from Beenie Man, Elephant Man, Chino, who did Protected, To-Isis, who had their own version of I Can Transform Ya, a humorous Trever Off Key and Ding Dong, who tore the house down with Holiday and Responsible Parents.

By the end of the show when the New Boyz hit the stage, it was pandemonium as the crowd got out of their seats to flock the two young rappers and to dance to their hit song You're a Jerk. With the energy level still high, patrons went from the award show to the after party, which was held at the same venue.

List of winners:

Favourite Music Video

Holiday by Ding Dong and Chevaughn

Sound of the Year

Renaissance Disco

Best Dance Group

Sample Six

Best Chart-topping Song

Love Dem by Vybz Kartel

Favourite Local Sports Team

Reggae Boyz

Favourite Artiste of the Year

Tifa

Favourite Artiste of the Year (male)

Vybz Kartel

Favourite Group

Voicemail

Cultural Artiste of the Year

Tarrus Riley

Producer of the Year

Stephen McGregor

Favourite Local International Act

Sean Paul

Favourite Male Dancer

Ding Dong

Favourite Female Dancer

Mystic

Gospel Artiste of the Year

DJ Nicholas

Favourite Radio Personality

ZJ Liquid

Best Fashion Icon (female)

D' Angel

Best Fashion Icon (male)

Beenie Man

Best local clothing brand

Cooyah

Favourite Entertainment Show

Review

Best Female Artiste

Tifa

Best Male Artiste

Vybz Kartel

Favourite Video Director

Jay Will

Favourite female sports personality

Shelly-Ann Fraser

Favourite male sports personality

Usain Bolt

Young Hot and Hype Female

Tifa

Young Hot and Hype Male

Chino

Left: New Boyz do the 'jerk' for fans at the Youth View Awards at the National Indoor Sports Centre last Saturday. Right: Tami Chynn's pose on the red carpet brings a smile to the face of husband Wayne Marshall.