Thousands of patrons turned out at Lyssons Park in St Thomas Saturday evening for Unruly Fest: Popcaan and Friends in Concert. It was the first of what is expected to become an annual show.

Traffic blocked roads leading to the venue as people eagerly made their way to the much-anticipated show. The pile-up had people exiting their vehicles and making the rest of the journey on foot. Locals charged a fee of $200 for secured parking, but many fans parked their cars on the roadside.

“The event bring a lot of town people come St Thomas,” said Mickella Clayton, a Lyssons resident. “Nothing nuh deh a St Thomas, town people never did a come because dem think bad roads deh ya, but a lot of dem reach, dem reach ’cause a Unruly Fest.”

Popcaan is pleased with the first staging of Unruly Fest.

“Well, I feel very great yuh nuh,” he told the Jamaica Observer. “Well, mi jus’ give thanks fi what God grant mi enuh, because mi never ungrateful because one time mi neva have nothing, and is a blessing, by looking at the stage you see it.”

Fans came out in their numbers to enjoy the star-studded line-up which included Popcaan and Canadian artistes Drake and Tory Lanez.

The Unruly Boss, Popcaan, graced the stage minutes to 3:00 am with his hit song Raving. His use of slangs and phrases like “Woyoii”, “Dem Dead” and “Get the Killy Dem Crazy Now” had patrons cheering on the hometown hero.

He performed Dem Nuh Worry Me, Wicked Man Ting, High All Day, and Weed Is My Best Friend, Silence and Invioable, Firm and Strong, and Family.

He invited Dre Island on stage to do their hit song, We Pray. Later, the deejay reappeared for his second set on a Spyder (three-wheeled motorcycle). Popcaan invited Drake onstage to deliver his long-awaited performance.

Scores of screaming fans took their phones out to record the hip hop star as he appeared. Drake opened with Fake Love from his More Life mixtape. Members of the audience, unable to contain their excitement, screamed and sang along to other popular songs including God’s Plan, Work and One Dance. Drake and Popcaan then gave a spirited performance of Controlla and Chargie. By the end of his performance, Drake announced that Popcaan would sign to his record label, OVO.

“This is something we worked on for a very long time,” Drake told the audience. “I just want to let everybody know, finally, officially, 2019, Popcaan a sign to OVO. OVO Unruly!” he said.

Drake’s performance was the highlight of the event for some patrons.

“I came all the way from MoBay,” said Lanae Gillete. “I have been here since 5:00 pm. Drake performed and I got to watch for just $3,000! I have never been to St Thomas for any other reason, but I definitely had to come for that! The highlight for me was when he announced that Popcaan would be signed to OVO records. Popcaan is a legend!”

Popcaan also invited Tory Lanez on stage for a cameo. He moved the crowd with his hit song Luv, a take on Every One Falls In Love by Tanto Metro and Devonte.

Other performances came from Bounty Killer, Cocoa Tea, Tanya Stephens, Bugle, I Wayne, Agent Sasco, Bush Man, Iba Mahr, Jah Vinci, Quada, Jah Frass, Nesbeth, and Richie Stephens.

Dexta Daps, who was expected to perform, was absent.

The first Unruly Fest was successful, according to its promoter.

“Next year it bigger and better. Time may be cold, walk with your sweater. Wicked!” Popcaan said.