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| Beres Hammond |
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| Mary J. Blige |
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| Tany Stephens |
How loud can you scream 'Beres!'?
Mel Cooke, Freelance Writer
Beres Hammond holds better than iconic status in Jamaica, as most
times icons are put in a showcase and held up for display. But for
Mr. Hammond, it is a matter of being One Step Ahead in the hearts
of the Jamaican public, making generations Rock Away to his music
and, for many, reaching a spiritual height as he requests "come
down, father, come down".
He is an icon who looks like your nice uncle and presents himself
in finger-flashing, toe-tipping fashion every single time.
He is at the zenith of his music making (heck, it seems he has
been there for decades) and Sumfest's 'Zenith' is his night.
But if he slips, in slides Tanya Stephens with her Rebelution.
Mixing the hardcore dancehall lyrics of teasing a matey with "suddenly
she fit inna some sexier pants, an' a war wid me before she tell
me thanks," and a classic statement of female strength in "the
same feet that fit so comfortably on your shoulders, are the same
ones that are gonna stand my ground", all the while declaring
her delight for the Boom Wuk, Stephens is a lyrical dynamo.
soulful embrace
Mary J. Blige is a soul queen and Jamaicans love their soul music.
That soulful embrace will be also extended to Tarrus Riley, whose
cover of John Legend's Stay With You is a standout and his own She's
Royal is a home style tribute to the ladies.
Look out for Rootz Underground, with a lead singer who sometimes
defies gravity and Richie Spice with his 'grooving' for the girls.
Tessane Chin has a voice to die for and has many a man Hyperventilating.
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