MORE THAN 2,000 patrons were treated to a well-received “gift” after police extended Strictly 2K: The Best of the 2000s to 3:28 am. The event was held the National Stadium car park in St Andrew recently.

The Noise Abatement Act states no loud music should be played between 2:00 am and 6:00 am. The extension was gratefully accepted by promoters ZJ Chrome and IB Konteh of JEM Entertainment.

“As every upstanding citzen should, we support them and we understand what they are going through so we just asked them for some discretion and they were kind enough to give us a little time over the act,” Konteh told the Jamaica Observer.

The event saw a venue change from the National Arena car park to the National Stadium car park, but still had a shoulder-to-shoulder crowd mostly supporting the night’s theme, Fashion Ova Style, inspired by late dancer Gerald “Bogle” Levy.

ZJ Chrome said his team unsuccessfully tried to book Mas Camp for the event, but he was very pleased with the outcome of the party nonetheless.

“We had anticipated roughly 2,500 but we got more than that. This is a bigger venue than last time but obviously we need a bigger venue. We also realise we got a lot of young people so we had to stick to the higher 2000s,” he said.

Patrons danced to the selections of ZJ Chrome, DJ Nicco and ZJ Liquid, which comprised of hip hop, R&B, reggae and dancehall hits from the 2000s. But it was Twin of Twins who received the most overwhelming response when they took over the turntables at 2:17 am. The dancehall duo saw Paul “Tu Lox” Gaynor selecting the music and Patrick “Curly Lox” Gaynor as the emcee. The group paid tribute to the 80s and 90s era first before unleashing 2000s tracks including Gangsta City by Popcaan and Thank Yuh Jah by Vybz Kartel. Their set lasted 14 minutes before police came on stage.

“As usual, from yuh see that yuh just start speed up. I mean the law is the law and yuh haffi comply with whatever agreement the promoter mek, yuh haffi just improvise but it was great. It was in a different capacity and mi like the concept and mi really happy bout the outcome and the show itself. I won’t complain, people can always find a reason to complain and I just won’t,” Patrick “Curly Lox” Gaynor said.

Organisers are now gearing up for the fifth staging of the event in May.

— Sade Gardner