Entertainment

Concert review of Carifest: Carifest Camaraderie

By: Brittany Somerset

NEW YORK – Carifest at Randall’s Island in New York marked the return of dancehall deejay Desmond ‘Ninja Man’ Ballentine, aka The Don Gorgon, heralded by many fans as the greatest Jamaican-born MC.

Ninja man graced the stage at Carifest after a 15-year absence from the United States. Ninja Man was barred entry until recently. He was presented with a special award on-stage, to present to immigration if he ever has problems entering the US again. Many fans missed the award presentation because they left before Ninja’s last song, to eschew the throngs of people trying to get off Randall’s Island at the same time. In fact, some people skipped this event altogether simply because it took place at Randall’s Island, citing the two hours it took them to get off of Randall’s after the Rock The Bells concert. (I skipped Rock The Bells, not because of traffic, but because the publicist for that event refused to accredit anyone from High Times.)


Collie Buddz got the afternoon crowd moving with his catchy tune, “Come Around. Mavado, Buju Banton, and Bounty Killa all performed their usual festival sets, although it wasn’t easy to tell them apart since they all chose to wear white, the new “in color” for dancehall artists. Ninja Man explains, “Know seh all the war in the business have to come to an end,” states Ninja Man. “If you see Ninja Man, now you see him in all white. That is all I wear for I want to be a beacon, a light for the world to see. We need to bring back the love and Reggae Carifest has always been a show that is about the love of the business and I figure if mi and them could work a way to have Ninja Man on stage for Carifest, then my journey would begin to reach the world.”

Trinidadian-born, Brooklyn-based Khari Kill gave the break out performance of the day with his rising hit, “Show Dem A Picture of Selassie.”

Much to everyone’s disappointment Sean Kingston didn’t perform at this year’s Carifest even though he was on the bill. Neither did Lucky Dube or Yellow Man. Meanwhile Beenieman was on-site, looking dapper in a three-piece suit. He was mobbed by media and fans backstage but he did not grace the stage, even for a rumored cameo appearance. I wonder how the fans could not have noticed half the line-up was missing. If I had purchased a ticket, I would have asked for my money back.

Meanwhile, it is par for the course that these events are always crawling with groupies and “VIPs” who buy their way into what is supposed to be the press pit and block members of the press from getting good shots. Anyone with a few extra dollars can buy themselves a “VIP” pass and wander around backstage in hopes of catching a glimpse of their favorite artist.

As soon as an artist comes off stage they are mobbed by these “VIP” fans. One woman who could not contain her enthusiasm for Ninjaman ran up to his wife Wendy and said, “I love your husband. I loooooooooooooooove him.” She later started screaming like an escaped mental patient, “Clear the way Ninjaman is coming through! Clear the way!” She did a better job at cutting a path for him than his bodyguards and entourage.



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