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Genesis '09 delivered spiritual fire, defiance
BY TYRONE S REID Observer staff writer reidt@jamaicaobsever.com
Sunday, January 04, 2009
AFTER a highly controversial year for local gospel music and months of brutal murders and child killings that rocked the island, performers at the 2009 Genesis Festival in Kingston were in a no-nonsense mood on New Year's Day, calling for drastic changes in the gospel industry and society at large - while inviting God's guidance for the country in the new year.
Leading the charge were DJ Nicholas, Judith Gayle, Prodigal Son and Minister Goddy Goddy, who closed the show at minutes to 1:00 am on Friday morning at the National Stadium Car Park in Kingston.
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| DJ Nicholas (right) and Judith Gayle feed off the crowd's energy at Genesis 2009. |
During his very well-received set, DJ Nicholas had the large crowd in a jumping and rag-waving frenzy for most of his half-hour stint, performing singles like Back To Di Owner, No Matter The Circumstances and his creative new track Slim Down (about getting spiritually fit). Fan favourites like What Kinda Church Is This?, God Ah Mi Warrior and Trouble Never Set Like Rain also found favour with concert patrons.
Judith Gayle, who delivered her own splendid set earlier (removing her shoes at one point), joined Nicholas for their duets Things Already Better and the defiant Dem Can't Stop It - before making way for Goddy Goddy, who entertained with a string of robust songs, including If You Sanctified and Move Satan Move.
The ever-fashionable Prodigal Son shrugged off the tribulations of a difficult year to deliver one of the most entertaining and emotionally-charged performances of the night. Backed by a very uniformed band of musicians and a powerful trio of backup singers, he thrilled the word-hungry crowd with renditions of Tell Me If Unoo Ready, Blessings Ah Run Wi Down and Gospel Fi Preach.
The deejay then 'attacked' the child killers with his new song Head Cyaan Hot So, letting them know that "God ah watch unoo", and later admonished the young ladies about saving themselves for marriage. But his set would not have been complete without a performance of the hit Lava Ground, which sent the crowd over the edge as he exited the stage.
On a night that featured strong performances by deejays, singers, dancers and dramatic artists (including actor André Morris), there were many other standout acts that rocked the Genesis stage on Thursday night. Jermaine Edwards brought excellent island/reggae flavour with tracks like the strong and powerful Words Cannot Explain and Love and Devotion, while Kevin Downswell's rich ministry included the prayerful Close To You, Shout, Stand and Change Is Comin'.
Jason Mighty, still riding the tidal wave of a phenomenal 2008, was another highlight who performed to loud cheers from the crowd with songs like Da Vinci Code, One Soul and Can't Walk Alone. Moses (clad in dazzling white), fast-rising star Teena Tamara and gospel ensemble Chosen Vessel also performed commendably, as did Garfield Reid during his short stint on stage, which had a cameo appearance from Minister Blessed.
Genesis 2009, organised by Jamaica Youth for Christ and moderated by popular emcees Nadine and Omar, was held under the theme 'Your Time To Shine'.
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