Red Bull Academy event ends with strong performance

Armed with travelling bags, 'jellies' and several entertaining songs, No-Maddz and their Haad Haad Band gave a wonderful performance to patrons at Red Bones Café on Wednesday night.

Before the quartet took to the stage, those in attendance were 'schooled' at the Red Bull Music Academy's session as Tony 'CD' Kelly reminded and shared his insight of the past and the future of reggae and dancehall music.

Musicians, producers and deejays were told what being involved in the Red Bull Music Academy would be like and how to apply at www.redbullmusicacademy.com.

When the talk was over and No-Maddz took to the stage, non-stop excitement became the order of the day.

Although there were no children in the audience, everyone could recognise the distinctive 'La-la-la-la, la-la-la-la,' from Elmo's World.

That's where it started, and from that moment on, No-Maddz had the full attention of patrons.

It seemed as if they went from 'baby stages', gradually evolving to lyrics for a more mature audience as they went from nursery rhymes such as Jack and Jill and Humpty Dumpty to, "Mi nuh care if a one night baby girl mi will stand. Yeah, yeah, one night stand."

Singing, spinning and dancing onstage to Bongo Man, No-Maddz was rewarded with much applause from the crowd before Everaldo Creary reached for his secret weapon (a spoon and a grater) and set the way for the introduction of Rise Above Profanity (Poo Puku) which was received with equal gusto.

Usual charm

Rise Above Profanity worked its usual charm from the beginning to the end.

"I have a uncle!" said Sheldon Shepherd.

"Wah him name?" asked Christopher Gordon.

"Bongo!" replied Shepherd.

"Wah him do?" asked Gordon, to which Shepherd exclaimed, "Him push di cart!"

It served well in entertaining patrons.

Take You To A Place found favour with the women in the audience, the chorus and three provocative verses hitting home.

Mountain Lion was the last song performed before the quartet packed their bags and left the stage to shouts, cheers and applause from the audience.

- Hasani Walters