Claudia Gardner, Gleaner Writer

U.S. African American college students enjoy one of several performances at Jamaica 360 degree Sun Festival, held at the Grand Lido Braco Resort in Trelawny recently. - Photo by Claudia Gardner

WESTERN BUREAU:

If the reception which was evoked when dancehall DJ Spragga Benz ambled onstage Thursday morning at the inaugural Jamaica 360 Degrees Sun Festival's reggae show for U.S. black college and university graduates was anything to go by, then there can be no doubt that the genre looms large among young African Americans.

And, if the youngsters' response to international reggae artiste, Half Pint, can be used as a landmark, then there is no doubt roots reggae is still being celebrated by African Americans.

Spragga took the stage on the grounds of the Grand Lido Braco Resort and Spa in Trelawny, shortly before 2 o'clock, and instantly declared that he would take the graduates back to his heyday in the 1990s.

And the graduates gyrated and sang along with Spragga as he belted out Things a Gwaan and Step Inna You Face.

One encore later Spragga launched into what he said were cultural tracks from his soon-to-be released album, but this did not manage to capture the audience's interest as before.

Spragga was preceded by the diminutive Half Pint who stepped on-stage clad in black.

The first line which came from Half Pint's lips was from the timeless Greetings, which brought the audience into a frenzy, following which he launched into his other classics hits including Level the Vibes, One Big Family, and the title track from his upcoming album No Stress Express, which he said would be released in August.

He was preceded by Bushman, Fahrenheit, Marcus I, Cezar and upcoming alternative rock reggae act Katherine, who also served as the opening act.

The Jamaica 360 Degree Sun Festival is a retreat for 100 college graduates from historically black colleges which was sponsored by a US$150,000 donation from actor/comedian Eddie Griffin. The graduates are being acknowledged for their dedication to school and community service.