Ne-Yo gives Jamaicans a taste of the Champagne Life

Sheena Gayle, Gleaner Writer

Western Bureau:

While the invasion of Compound Island and Ne-Yo was overshadowed by Dream Weekend and ATI parties, the R&B superstar still managed to pull a huge crowd for his Ne-Yo and Friends concert at Jungle in Negril over the Emancipation weekend.

The two-day party series began on Friday with an ultra-VIP welcome party at Boardwalk Village, Negril, where fans had an opportunity to mingle with the musician and have a taste of the Champagne Life.

The all-white welcome party saw the attendance of the 'First Couple' of Montego Bay, Mayor Charles Sinclair and his wife Glennette, dancehall artiste and producer Seanizzle, along with ace producer Troyton.

Ne-Yo recently unveiled the Caribbean leg of his record label Compound Entertainment under the name Compound Island, and the party series in Negril was to introduce Compound Island to Jamaica. The star-studded event helped to affirm Compound Island's presence in Jamaica and its intent to be part of the musical landscape and scout fresh talent.

Range and diversity

Partying under the theme Champagne Life, the concert on Saturday showed the musician's range and diversity in mixing R&B with dancehall and reggae.

His hits such as So Sick, Champagne Life and Sexy Love registered well with the crowd who he had eating out of his hands with each hit song he delivered.

Ne-Yo scored huge points with the Jamaican crowd when he did the remix of I Know You Want Me featuring Mavado.

Dancing skills

However, it was when he did the original version of Miss Independent and then called out dancehall artiste Spice to do the remixed version she did with Vybz Kartel that the crowd really went wild, as they sang each line word for word. Spice drew Ne-Yo into the action as she tested his dancing skills and his ability to move his waistline, and the international star happily obliged. He surprised many as he showed that he could keep up with an agile Spice, who showed him how persons dance to Rampin' Shop.

Unexpected appearance

The self-proclaimed King of the Dancehall, Beenie Man, made an unexpected appearance at the event, which sent fans into overdrive. From Rum and Red Bull, I'm Okay, to showing Ne-Yo how to do the swagging dance move, the 'king' could not be dethroned as he represented dancehall well at the event.

Voicemail and Seanizzle also made appearances and left their mark on what was a night celebrating the best of Jamaican and international music.