FIRE 2002 at Marketplace - Heroes Day, Oct. 21st
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Last year dem hot but dis year dem hotta!

Things were definitely blazin' inside Marketplace this Heroes Day for promoter Horseman's annual Fire Fest.

The line ran so smoothly, one wouldn't believe there was hundreds of people on the other side of the gate. Marketplace is the perfect venue for this kind of event. A couple thousand can fit comfortably but the less the better... that way you can squish up by the stage, or chill out at the back.

Last year's show was fantastic and trus mi I wasn't going to miss this fi nuttin. Tru and Fyah wanted to reach so bad but they were in Miami for a previous engagement.

As I walk through the gate I headed to the front, jumping on stage to catch the recently Ras Chuck Fender finishing up his set. Junior Kelly was next and released a great performance to the packed house. Unfortunately, as with Chuck Fender, the response was minimal since it was past 1am and the working people wanted to see the major headliners - Kolonji and King Shango. They were backstage already along with all the other tapper tops in the "firey" side of the business - Gadaffi, Laing, Bello, Copeland Forbes, Jerome Hamilton and Fattis. Some artists that turned out for Fire included Singing Melody, Vegas, Delly Ranks, Jigsy King, Singer J and New Kidz.

On with the show... The crowd had no choice but to relax and enjoy it all cuz u know it's a crack a dawn before dat deh finish! Anyway, after IRIE FM's GT Taylor took over from Nuffy as EmCee, there was a brief performance by a talented, upcoming artist whose name escapes me right now. He let off a couple a capellas about the recent elections but again, the crowd wanted some real "blazin hot" action. Wi tired fi hear bout election now.

Richie Spice vibesd dem up likkle during his half hour on stage. His style is very unique and I think everybody appreciates that. He topped it off with his hit It Nuh Pretty and the legendary Everton Blender was next in line. He had the crowd weak, and after he let off his smash hit Hold up your Head half the crowd left. They got their money's worth. The other half was willing to stick it out for Sizzla and Capleton. It was past 3 am now.

About three quarters way through Sizzla's set (after the sound problem was resolved), Anthony B came on for a short but powerful stint. He gave the crowd strictly hits between the mic being passed back and forth to Sizzla for a special complimentary verse or two or three. Sizzla announced to the crowd that him and Anthony B being on stage togther is historical and dem betta listen keenly. Double the pleasure, double the vibes. Anthony B exited, satisfied that he had dutifuly rocked the house and Sizzla reclaimed his spot centrestage for the last of his exhausted time. Immediately following, no time wasting, the band was switched once more for the final act.

MI NAH BEG NUH FREN FROM NONE A DEM! FIAH BUN DI WHOLLA DEM.. uh huh! Geeeez! Capleton is a great, great performer. His entourage was 20 strong and I wasn't getting anywhere near the stage platform. My apologies for a lack of Capleton pics but this is just the way the world turns. Just fi mek yuh know though, if you didn't catch it in the pictures, Capleton was decked out in some real royal looking garb.. gold and shiny and ting. That's why I love these artists. Dem dress UP fi perform.. not in no marina and jeans pants yuhsimi.

Hear mi nuh... Last year Capleton tek di show fi mi still, like how him tek every show him book for, but this year him get cut short true it was something to 5 and di work day soon start. I don't know if oonu can tell from the picture but I was standing on stage still wondering how comes Capleton dun him performance so quick 'til I look around and wha!? Mi seh gate fly an' bout 8 squad car inside the venue, line up wid dem bright lights blasting and blue lights swirling like is a movie, Jah know. Mi neva vex still. It was late and all the artists I saw gave great performances. Di people dem definitely get dem money's worth.

So the night came to an unexpected but much needed close. Morning had broken, and everybody was tired and broke after the long weekend. Me for one am so used to dance and party being locked off early nowadays and only really going out on weekends, that I tire easy and was waning just leaving the venue! I sang myself very loudly home and knocked out as soon as I hit the bed.

Fire 2002, despite the tardy start - as is the norm for all stage shows - was a very well organised show. Big up to the stage management crew and Horseman for keeping the Fire burning.

BLESS! Mic