'Stars' rise to the occasion

Garfene Grandison, Gleaner Writer

Scores of patrons, entertainers and specially invited guests came out on Saturday evening for the Stars On The Rise concert held in the parking lot of The Gleaner Company's North Street offices.

The concert featured the top-five finalists in this year's Digicel Rising Stars competition as well as past contestants such as Natel, Cameal Davis and Brown Suga.

A host of other local entertainers and specially invited guests also came out to support the event, among them artistes like I-Octane, Wasp, Khago, Cherine Anderson, Nicki B, Ity and Fancy Cat and many others.

The MOB got the show started with an energetic performance before newcomer Isat performed his new single Unbreakable.

Former Rising Star alum Natel was up next and he invited dancehall soulstress Cherine Anderson and together they performed their newest single You Turn Me On. Nicki B also did a short performance prior to Natel and Cherine Anderson. The moment that everyone was waiting for soon arrived and the top-five finalists in this year's Digicel Rising Stars competition took to the stage to the applause and cheers of the patrons.

The fab five

First up was Jermaine Michaels who performed his renditions from the show while the audience sang along and rocked to the melodies showing their appreciation. Although eliminated on last week's live show, Toni Blair still gave a wonderful performance. And even at the end of her performance the audience hadn't got enough and so they called for an encore and Blair obliged and left the audience with a powerful Whitney Houston number.

With her bold and infectious personality, Nekorah made her way to the stage but took the Jamaican route with her performance, doing songs such as I'm Waiting by Ce'Cile and Think Bout Mi by Macka Diamond and Unicorn. The audience received her performance with much praises giving way for Camaley who despite her disability, stood in front of the patrons and gave them a show.

"For all who talk bout me cah win the competition because ah mi disability, me ah jus mek unnu know ..." and then she went straight into Demarco's True Friends. Again, the audience wanted more and so she returned to the stage and performed Etana's Free, a song which resonated well with almost all in attendance.

Females captivated

The baby of the competition Dalton Harris, was up next but the 16-year-old showed why he was a contender for first place. His delivery of Justin Bieber's Baby had females captivated with his performance.

Immediately following the top five performances, the only two female Rising Stars winners, Cameal Davis and Brown Suga and had patrons fully engrossed in their performances.

Specially invited guest artistes, I-Octane, Khago, Wasp, Chedda and others also lifted the tempo and excitement inside The Gleaner's parking lot.

STAR of the month, ZJ Liquid, who was billed as a selector, also took to the stage and delivered a surprise performance, doing songs from his catalogue, including his current hit single Wifey Walk Out.

The concert, emceed by Jody-Ann Gray, ended with musical selections by DJ Ash of Coppershot and dance performances by Black Blingaz, Shelly Belly, Ravers Clavers and Chekkaz Dancers.