KINGSTON, Jamaica — Praises flowed for Agent Sasco Sunday night as the dancehall artiste celebrated 25 years in music with his sold out Grateful concert at the UWI Mona Bowl.

A downpour was not enough to discourage fans from turning out to give Sasco the proverbial flowers for his contribution to the entertainment industry.

The night had all the elements of a quality production — good music, vibrant stage presence from performers, emotional tributes and celebration of family and friendship. From the countless guest appearances to tear-jerking renditions of popular singles, patrons undoubtedly got their money’s worth.

“We are literally on the banks of the Hope River and this means a lot to me. Mi deh home dis morning a train fi nuh bawl dung yah innu and mi ago try keep it da way deh,” the man of the moment declared early during his solid set.

Intermittently fighting back tears, the entertainer reflected on his 25-year journey in music and shared that he named the concert Grateful because that was the overpowering emotion he felt going into this milestone year of his career. He said the commitment displayed by fans who braved the inclement weather was icing on the cake for his celebrations as it was testament of their love and admiration.

Patrons braved a downpour on Sunday, December 29, 2024 to celebrate Agent Sasco’s milestone 25th anniversary in music. (Photo: Karl McLarty)

“As much as the rain a fall, if this is not a demonstration of gratitude, I don’t know what is,” he said as he thanked fans for staying put despite the showers.

“People, mi deh backstage and mi see the rain and mi a say Jah Jah. Mi a try be optimistic and a tell mi self say fi be grateful but mi nah lie, mi weak inna mi chair,” he shared. “But mi wife turn to mi and look inna mi eyes and say memba a you say grateful. Everything ago work out. People mi just can’t thank unu enough fi deh yah.”

The entertainer who graced the stage at minutes after 11 after the showers caused an almost two-hour delay in the show’s scheduled start time, opened his performance on a high with a performance of Fade Away alongside Romain Virgo. The pair had the audience in a frenzy as they traversed the slippery stage singing in the rain.

A proud Virgo told Observer Online post performance that Sasco was someone he admired, and therefore he had to come out and support the show. He said the turnout despite the rain is a sign that Sasco has paid his dues in music and is now reaping the successes for his hard work.

“Agent Sasco is somebody that I look up to from day one even before I knew him personally not just because of the quality music he does but because of the lifestyle. He is really someone I emulate a lot and wanted to be like him,” Virgo said. “So to stand here tonight and see him put on something this massive and to see the rain was falling and nobody was leaving, it just goes to show the love and respect that everyone has for him. It was just a blessing to be here and perform a song that we did together.”

Agent Sasco invited renowned gospel singer Glacia Robinson to the stage for a tear-jerking rendition of ‘Mama Prayed’. (Photo: Karl McLarty)

The love and adoration from his musical family kept pouring in for Agent Sasco as one artiste after the other commended him for sticking to his morals in a cut-throat industry.

“Twenty-five years inna music anuh easy supmn and yuh gi we music weh clean and pure and positive,” said Lila Ike as she paused her performance of their collaboration, Everything and Anything, to sing Sasco’s praises.

Bounty Killer also had nothing but words of affirmation for Sasco as he instructed the youths to follow in his footsteps.

“Unu look pan greatness,” he said. “Who lost and nuh know unu way, watch the leader.”

Declaring Sasco future prime minister material, Spragga Benz also fought back tears as he recalled the deejay’s 25-year journey.

Spragga benz performing at Grateful on Sunday. The deejay shared that he was among the first to support Agent Sasco along his musical journey and said he is happy to see him accomplish 25 years. (Photo: Karl McLarty)

“Yuh see the first time mi call him up over Polo club, some people did a gwaan like dem wah play stiff. Yuh know dem kinda people weh yuh affi prove yuh self? But see it yah, 25 years. Him never badmind nobody, him never hurt nobody, never do nuttn wrong,” Spragga Benz said.

“And remember a me first tell unu innu… Prime Minister Campbell,” he continued as the two performed a slew of hits from each other’s prolific catalogue.

Highlighting that as much as he is grateful for reaching the 25 year mark in his professional career, Sasco shared that he is even more thankful for the talented entertainers he met along the way who have now become family.

“Yes, I am grateful for my 25 years but one of the things I am most grateful for is the good people I met along this journey in music,” he said as he thanked every one of his guest performers for making the night a resounding success.