Sunnation’s Sunrise Day Soiree, which was held on January 1, was seemingly a great way to kick-start the new year.

Scores of patrons, among them business executives, politicians, sport celebrities, and party enthusiasts descended on the grounds of The University of the West Indies to let loose and munch on scrumptious fare.

Upon entering the venue, the décor transported patrons to a tropical oasis.

The music being spun by the DJs curated the party vibes through different genres, including Amapiano, Afrobeats, hip hop, rhythm and blues, reggae, pop, and dancehall.

DJ Shantonio had the waistlines twirling and turning with soca treats such as Behaving the Worst by Skinny Fabulous, Wotless by KES, and Phenomenal by Benjai.

A serving of Afrobeats, including Burna Boy’s Yeah Yeah and On the Low, kept the vibes flowing.

DJ Lantern also made a good impression with a slate of dancing songs — Elephant Man’s
Signal De Plane and Pon Di River Pon Di Bank, before throwing in Ding Dong’s
Bad Man Forward, Party Time by Danny English and Egg Nog, Sean Paul’s Get Busy, Caribbean Girls by Aidonia, Settle Down by Mavado, Tifa’s Dash Out and Vybz Kartel’s
Summertime.

Slow R&B jams were served as overseas-based selector DJ Ricky Platinum took control of the musical adrenaline. Blackstreet’s Don’t Leave, Usher’s U Got It Bad, Jaheim’s
Put That Woman First, Ella Mai’s Booed Up, and Tevin Campbell’s Can We Talk connected with the females in attendance who took on singing duties.

Other songs that had patrons grooving from Ricky Platinum’s set which included Junior Reid’s One Blood; Love and Affection by Pressure Bonafide Love by Wayne Wonder; That Day Will Come by Capleton; Weh Di Time by Voicemail, Delly Ranks and Bogle; and
Tek Weh Yuself by Mr Vegas.

Brush1 The Road Marshal and DJ Franco then took the vibes a notch higher with soca, pop and dancehall nuggets until international recording artiste and disc jock Afro B took over delivering Amapiano remixes of Essence by Tems and Wizkid, Muni Long’s Made for Me, and Byron Messia’s Talibans.

Afro B created ripples when he performed his gold-certified, Billboard-charting hit Drogba (Joanna).

“When yuh go inna the music, people haffi hear the music weh dem love, music weh dem grow up on. At the end of the day, it starts and ends with music,” Brush1 told the Jamaica Observer’s Splash.

He added: “You have to rise to an occasion at an event like this. The DJ is the captain, and the MC is the co-captain. Playing at an event like this is like playing on the seas. Ride the wave.”

Social media influencers Rush Cam and JaiiFrais; Member of Parliament for St Elizabeth South Western and Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Mining Floyd Green; State minister in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Foreign Trade Alando Terrelonge; business executives Gregory Millwood and Gregory Christian; athletes Jaydon Hibbert and Megan Tapper; former athlete Asafa Powell and wife Alyshia; disc jock 3D; Miss Universe Jamaica (2015) 5th place finisher Kellon Williams and public relations practitioner Stephanie Lyew were among those seen enjoying the vibes.

Simone Swaby, a teacher residing in New York, said she is a regular attendee at Sunrise.

“This is an event that I always attend whenever there is a holiday period. The vibe, the music, and obviously the fashion, the experience and the food are pretty much why I keep coming back. One thing I would tell patrons, do not come too early, because the sun is too hot. But when you do come, always try to stay hydrated, be sexy, and come with your friends,” said Swaby.

Reshima Kelly Williams, marketing executive at the Jamaica Public Service Company (JPS), said its always a good vibe, being at an event hosted by Sunnation.

“Listen, it’s January 1, truly happy to be here. It’s great to see 2025 and its always a good time when you come to a Sunnation party. Yes, the sun is out, but its also an indication of us being here and being able to enjoy ourselves with friends and family,” said Williams, who shared that she is looking forward to success and good health this year.

Phillip “PP” Palmer, a director of Sunnation, was pleased with the day’s turn of events. He shared what goes into putting the event together.

“The success of Sunrise Day Soirée is as a result of meticulous planning, a bold creative vision, the support of our amazing sponsors, and the unwavering dedication of our expert team. Every detail is carefully curated to ensure that our patrons enjoy an exceptional and unforgettable experience,” he told Splash.

“We go for wow! From the visual worlds we create with our dynamic décor, to the energy of DJ sets that keep everything moving, and definitely the constant flow of premium pours courtesy of our top-shelf sponsors Select Brands. But, for us, the highlight will always be the people. Our patrons show up dressed to impress and with unmatched energy. You can’t manufacture that vibe; the energy of our crowd is pure magic,” he added.

The first Sunrise Day Soirée was held in 2012. Asked what keeps patrons coming back, Palmer shared: “Sunrise Day Soirée is more than just an event — it’s an annual celebration that creates lasting memories. Our patrons return because every year we build on that. We create an atmosphere that is always fresh. Our event is a new and exciting experience that resonates deeply with everyone who attends.”