Beenie Man, Damian Marley Thrill Fans At BVI Music Fest

Jamaican reggae artists Damian Marley and Beenie Man wowed scores of fans attending the eighth annual BVI Music Festival during the weekend at Cane Garden Bay.

Activities kicked off on Friday night with Haiti's Tabou Combo and its blend of zouk, followed by the energetic Arrow of Montserrat, who used every inch of the stage, enthralling the crowd with such hits as "Colombia Rock," "Long Time We Ain't Fete Like This" and the classic hit "Hot, Hot, Hot."

Marley packed the crowd on Saturday night, performing lively tunes and giving an energetic stage presentation. He closed with his signature tune "Welcome to Jam Rock." In between new and old music, Marley dug deep into his father's - Bob Marley - catalog of songs, treating the audience to the likes of "Crazy Baldhead," "War," and "Exodus."

Beenie Man followed Marley and was equally entertaining with dance hall selections such as "Girls Them Sugar" and "Gangsta for Life."

He even tap danced on stage before taking off his suit and throwing his shirt into the crowd.

Preceding Marley and Beenie Man were Sistah Joyce - backed by Out of the Desert Band - and Cane Garden Bay's own Quito Rhymer and the Edge.

Quito paid tribute to the late Lucky Dube of South Africa, who was a featured act at last year's festival, with a song titled "Hush" and other selections from his soon-to-be-released album "Cool Water."

Trinidad's David Rudder followed, belting out such tunes as "Rally" and "High Mass" during his hourlong presentation before Antigua's El-a-kru closed the session.

The Reggae News Agency

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