YVAs - A night for the stars

Garfene Grandison, Gleaner Writer

On one of the most-anticipated nights on the entertainment calendar, Latifa Brown more commonly known as 'Tifa' and Andrae Sutherland also known as 'Popcaan' walked away as the night's most decorated artistes. Tifa won all the awards in the categories in which she was nominated, and Popcaan edged out Vybz Kartel, who walked away with two awards, winning three out of a total of five awards.

Throughout most of the night it became almost predictable who the winner was going to be whenever either Tifa or Popcaan was mentioned in a category. They were truly the people's favourite as screams and cheers erupted inside the National Indoor Sports Centre each time they were called to the stage to accept their coveted award. Both seemed really grateful for each nomination and even more grateful for the win, thanking their team members, family members and fan base for the support.

The Youth View Awards in its fifth year had major plans for the award ceremony, some of which were new innovations such as the Pepsi 360 degree glam cam capturing all the style moments on the red carpet.

Red carpet arrivals

The red carpet arrivals, which was slated to start at 5:30p.m., started a little later than promised which pushed back the start time of the awards show. About 8:30 p.m., Lady Renae signalled the start of the show and in rode Wayne Marshall on an All-Terrain Vehicle (ATV). As he took to the stage, backup dancers in tow, he belted out the hook for the night's two-time award-winning song, I am swagging then welcomed Fambo to the stage who performed a really good set making way for none other than Tifa, who, as expected, gave the audience what they have come to know and expect from her; an entertainment-filled performance.

That wasn't the end as far as an entertaining introduction was concerned. Out stepped the hosts for the night, Tami Chynn and Kruddy who both made their debut on to the YVA stage deejaying for the nearly packed venue. The patrons loved it and welcomed them with positive vibes. 'So you think you can Dance All-Star Comfort Fedoke, came to the stage and gave a well-choreographed and energetic hip hop performance totally captivating the audience. The YVA dancers also gave very great performances each time they took to the stage especially the battle of the sexes dance off in the end. Although Vybz Kartel was absent the self-proclaimed, 'girl boss' representing the 'world boss' Amelia 'Milk' Sewell accepted on his behalf.

The major performances for the night were from Christopher Martin who held his own despite his slight wardrobe malfunction, Digicel's brand Ambassador I-Octane who had the patrons totally captivated singing along to every line and hanging on to every note as he performed songs such as Lose A Friend and My Life.

Entertaining acts

'On the verge' winner Tashauna Williams made her debut on the YVA stage performing Adele's Set Fire to the Rain. Laza Morgan had the patrons rocking in their seats shouting One by One as he performed his hit song featuring Mavado. Ikaya paid tribute to Bob Marley singing Redemption Song but adding her own element to the tribute, making the song her own. She even added a little deejay element to the song putting an entirely new spin on the song, enhancing the performance ten fold.

The closing performance for the night was the night's most celebrated star: Popcaan. He came to the stage greeted by shouts, screams and total pandemonium as he performed hits such as Clean , Only Man She Want, Party Shot and a few others, bringing the entire general admission to their feet as confetti rained down signalling the end of the YVA's fifth anniversary celebrations.

The award winners for the night were:

Favourite Breakout Celebrity of the Year -Specialist

Favourite Summer Song - Ravin by Popcaan

Entertainment Show - Intense

Young, Hot and Hype Female of the year - Tifa

Young, Hot and Hype Male of the year - Popcaan

Celebrity Role Model - Shaggy

Fashion Icon Male- Dexter Pottinger

Fashion Icon Female - Tifa

Favourite Selector (DJ) - ZJ Bambino

Favourite Group or collaboration - Swaggin by Wayne Marshall/Tifa/Fambo

Favourite Dance Group - Shady Squad

Favourite Female Dancer - Mystic

Favourite Male Dancer - Ding Dong

Local Male Artiste - Vybz Kartel

Local Female Artiste - Tifa

Dancehall Male Artiste - Kartel

Dancehall Female Artiste - Tifa

Video Director - Jay Will

Music Producer - Stephen McGregor

Gospel Artiste of the Year - DJ Nicholas

Local chart topping song of the year - Ravin by Popcaan

Cultural Artiste - I-Octane

Media Personality - Pepita

Local Music Video - Swaggin by Wayne Marshall/Tifa/Fambo

Sound System - Coppershot