As someone who grew up in Denham Town, Ricardo Ellis knows the ‘road code’ as it relates to inner-city life. So when he first held Scream Sundays in 2017 the budding promoter was familiar with the limited budget of his patrons.

On April 10, 2023 the show attracted a crowd to the Wellington Street Community Centre. Ellis, known as Bossa B, reckons as many as 2,000 patrons showed up to dance the night away.

“It was a massive turnout, but yuh mus’ remember is not a spending crowd. Bring yuh own liquor an’ yuh can come inna di venue. Wi know dem weakness suh wi jus’ deal wid dem strength,” he told the Jamaica Observer.

Held three times for the year, Scream Sundays was first staged in 2017.

It returned in 2022 after a two-year break due to COVID-19 and, according to Ellis, each show attracted strong turnouts.

This month’s gig featured a local sound system as well as live performances from deejays Armani and Byron Messia.

“It was a joy, everybody enjoy demself,” he said.

Ellis, who is in his late 30s, was born and raised in West Kingston in Denham Town. He is a graduate of Tivoli Gardens High School.

The area has produced stars such as singers Ken Boothe, Errol Dunkley and Gregory Isaacs and cricketer Collie Smith.

There has been tension in West Kingston since the 1960s when armed factions associated with the Jamaica Labour Party and People’s National Party battled in areas including Denham Town, Matthews Lane and Tivoli Gardens.

Ellis now operates a clothing and grocery store.

Six years ago he decided to start an event that would help ease conflict between gangs in the area. He plans to stage his next Scream Sundays on June 2.