

January 3, 2024

Voicemail brings the vibes at Strictly 2K Throwback Music Festival

article reposted by Chelsea

via jamaicaobserver.com

The duo Voicemail rocked the stage at the Strictly 2K Throwback Music Festival last Saturday night inside Mas Camp, leaving patrons drenched — not only by the rain that fell sporadically — after consuming hit after hit.

Sponsored by J Wray & Nephew White Rum, Strictly 2K was a retro party fan’s playground.

With dancers in tow, Voicemail ran unchecked through their hit-laden catalogue revving up a jam-packed venue into overdrive.

Bembe, Get On Up, Dance and Shout (Feeling Good), Wacky Dip, and Dancing Fever had patrons in a dancing mood.

Dancehall veteran Delly Ranx joined Voicemail on stage for the #1 hit Weh Di Time, another crowd favourite.

“Rain or shine, the show has to go on. Jamaican people know how to enjoy themselves, dem nuh care wah happen,” group member Kevyn disclosed in an interview with the Jamaica Observer post-performance.

Qraig said it was heart-warming seeing that their songs have found relevance with a new generation of music lovers.

“It feels good, trust me. It’s been a minute, a lot of people are always asking, “Where is Voicemail?’ But we’re a territory group, so we are usually out in the world doing territory work. But this is home, it’s always good to secure home. It’s nice to know that we can come to do an event like Strictly 2K and have fun with the patrons,” Qraig reasoned.

Prior to Voicemail’s performance, dancehall kitten Vanessa Bling, aka Gaza Slim, strutted onstage to her chart-rider One Man. Everything Fi Hold Him and Future Guaranteed all went down well with the females in the audience.

Later on, Chi Ching Ching and Laa Lee performed much to the crowd’s delight. The ongoing feud between former RDX members had no relevance on the Strictly 2K stage.

The DJs on the line-up gave a good account of themselves.

Jamaican-born, Atlanta-based DJ Mixmaster David, who is the resident DJ for R&B singer Usher’s Las Vegas residency, warmed the crowd with soca and Afrobeats offerings such as Wukking Up by Patrice Roberts, Hard Wine by Machel Montano, Kim by TC, and I Dare You by Destra.

Team Coppershot, with Marc Chin and MC Cyclone in command, ran through early to mid-2000s R&B and hip hop treats. Missy “Misdemeanor” Elliott’s platinum-certified hit Hot Boyz featuring Lil Mo, Nelly’s EI and Country Grammar (Hot), and the remix of Busta Rhymes’ Make it Clap featuring Sean Paul assisted the selectors on their musical voyage.

Heading to the Top by Cham, Tables Will Turn by Foxy Brown and Cham, Move by Ludacris, New Millennium by Vybz Kartel and Wayne Marshall, Work It by Missy Elliott, Get Low (remix) by Lil Jon featuring Elephant Man, as well as songs from the Buzz, Thrilla, and Time Travel rhythms saw patrons singing along.

Director of Strictly 2K, ZJ Chrome also put in a good set with Snap Yo Fingers by Lil Jon and the Eastside Boyz, I Feel Free by Ricky Blaze, Higher Level and Pon di River by Elephant Man, Hmm Hmm by Beenie Man, the Fiesta rhythm, Tease Har by Anthony B, Tek Weh Yuself by Mr Vegas, and Goodaz by Tony Matterhorn, among other hit songs.

Patrons gave Strictly 2K the thumbs up.

DJ Chaddy G said: “The party real good, it gwaan good inna di rain. Di people dem enjoy dem self and mi love dat.”

Social media influencer and marketer Kingsley Morgan commented: “Strictly 2K loud loud. I’m a millennial and mi nuh know di new tune dem. You see any time Strictly 2K say road, mi deh deh. A my era dis, a my music dis. So wah gwaan right now, mi nuh know, but wah gwaan back then, mi live through it,” said Morgan.

Strictly 2K was first held in December 2016.

Director of Marketing Ibrahim Konteh said the event has seen exponential growth over the period.

“When we started we never had any cabanas, no VIP section, no décor, and our entrance fee was $1,500. Now, you see Best in Class execution in terms of décor, stage, lighting, and performances. It’s a great feeling to see the growth over the years. It shows that our hard work has paid off,” said Konteh.

Strictly 2K, which is now held three times annually, will see its next staging on March 30 during the Vaca Weekend series of events in Ocho Rios.

Want to Be a Guest?

Email Us Your Story

MISSED OUT ON OUR SHOWS?

Stream our top episodes!


More Posts for Show: Cruisin On The EDGE w/ Danae