A smiling and appreciative Spragga Benz accepted the Dancehall Legend Award at last Friday’s staging of the Miramar Selecta Showdown. The event, which served as a precursor and pre-event interlude to the Afro Carib Festival, took place at the Shirley Branca Park in Miramar.

“It’s always a great feeling to be recognised for what you do yuh nuh, the contribution, and tonight is no less. We give thanks for the honour,” Spragga Benz said in an interview with Observer Online shortly after he received the award.

The enigmatic deejay who is revered for hits such as Tings a Gwaan, Dedicated (with Wayne Wonder), Car Crash, A1 Lover, She Nuh Ready Yet among others, was honoured by City of Miramar for his contribution to dancehall music. The event was hosted by Vice Mayor Alexandra P Davis.

The Miramar Selecta Showdown attracted a predominantly mature crowd who danced the night away to musical selections by DJ Shawty Redz, DJ Toots and DJ Fergie, who competed for bragging rights and a chance to win US$1,000.

DJ Shawty Redz was on point with her delivery of reggae songs that saw patrons enjoying themselves.

Afterwards, DJ Fergie, who is of Jamaican parentage, and also the defending champion, took patrons down memory lane reliving the hits. His hit-laden set included Dreamlover by Bobby Darin, Ain’t No Mountain High Enough by Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell, Ring My Bell by Anita Ward and Michael Jackson’s Wanna Be Startin Somethin.

DJ Toots took over the musical machine and splintered Rob Base and DJ E-Z Rock’s late 1980s classic It Takes Two, Luv 4 Luv by Robin S, Blurred Lines by Robin Thicke, as well as some roots reggae, dancehall and soca treats to an appreciative crowd.

DJ Shawty Redz didn’t make it to the second round so it was left up to DJs Toots and Fergie to compete for the title and main prize.

During the second round, DJ Fergie drew for Farmer Nappy’s Ducking, Machel Montano’s Party Done, Differentology by Bunji Garlin and Chris Brown’s Yeah Yeah Yeah.

DJ Toots stepped up the ante when he unleashed Montell Jordan’s This is How We Do It, Jump Around by House of Pain, Dennis Brown’s Here I Come, Sizzla’s Praise Ye Jah, On a Mission by Capleton and General Echo’s early 1980s chestnut Arleen.

But DJ Fergie would not go down without putting up a fight, so he dug deep into his musical arsenal for Cherry Oh Baby by Eric Donaldson, Pluto Shervington’s I Man Born Ya, Bruck Off Yuh Back by Konshens, Johnny P’s 1990 hit Bike Back, and hip hop selections. He was later announced as the winner of the Selecta Showdown.

“I feel honoured and proud to know that I was once told that I’d never make it in this industry, and years later, I’m still proving them wrong,” DJ Fergie told Observer Online shortly after his win.

He added, “In this business, you have to be prepared for anything at any time. So as an experienced DJ that stays ready and takes the craft seriously, I’m always prepared.”

A judging panel comprising Joanna Marie of Global Media, media personality Papa Keith and DJ Eva Neva judged the competitors on crowd response, ability to mix and song transitions.