I-Octane gets close for 'Behind The Screen'

Curtis Campbell, Gleaner Writer

The Heineken-sponsored 'Behind the Screen' was off to a late start on Tuesday night. However, when headline act I-Octane took the stage at 11 p.m. patrons quickly forgot about the wait.

The weekly, live event pulled its normal crowd and, by 10:30, there was a long line leading from Tracks and Records to the main road.

Following an entertaining, gimmick-filled introduction by Fluffy Diva Miss Kitty, I-Octane introduced his set with Thank You Father.

The women quickly made their way to the front of the stage, cellphones in hand capturing images of the star - the all-important reason for that accessory.

I-Octane then went on to sing I A Cry, the audience becoming his backup singers, belting out lines from the song at the slightest insistence from I-Octane.

Following that musical connection with the audience, the artiste went on to perform Suffa Too Long and Mamma You Alone.

Paying homage to reggae legend Bob Marley with a performance of No Woman Nuh Cry, I-Octane again had the audience following his lead like a conductor, a Pied Piper of sorts.

The artiste then decided to show his versatility by delving into some of his dancehall material.

"Dah shirt ya cheap but a my own, dah pants ya tight but a my own," he said and went on to sing Too Licky Licky. By this time sections of the venue were jumping, roars of approval adding to the atmosphere.

We Love The Vibes and the Chimney Records-produced Keep Me Up. Producer at Chimney Records, Jordan McClure, was in attendance and showed his support for the artiste by dancing with one hand in the air.

attention to the women

The women were clearly the more vocal of the patrons and I-Octane made sure to give them enough attention to keep them involved.

During his performance of the song L.O.V.E he called on one of the females to personally serenade her.

There was a massive uproar stemming from the display and the woman showed her appreciation by dancing.

The rest of the performance saw I-Octane switching lanes between dancehall and reggae music. In the process, he maintained the full attention of his fans.

Even at minutes after 12:30 a.m. nobody seemed ready to leave the venue.

According to one patron, who was very vocal during the performance, "Di man shell it."