With colleges and universities now closed for the holiday, what better way to kick-start the summer vibes than at the most recent edition of Fanatic. And what a party it was.

Held at Ranny Williams Entertainment Centre on Hope Road and sponsored by Campari Red Passion, Fanatic featured high-powered performances by headliner, dancehall artiste Jamal and guest acts Armanii and Skeng, who kept patrons on their feet.

Additionally, the musical selections by a cadre of DJs and MCs including Fyahman, DJ Mac and Baba, Tyler, Kryptic, Deva Kidd and Vinchi provided high energy and vibes as patrons, mostly college and university students and young adults, got into a sea of musical overdrive.

Fyahman, one of the founding directors of Fanatic, says the event continues to grow with each staging.

“Fanatic Festival continues to define a generation. More than just an event, it’s a platform for youth expression, musical excellence, and next-level production. From the first staging in July 2022 up until now, the journey has been nothing short of revolutionary. And if this staging was powerful, then December is about to be historic,” Fyahman told the Jamaica Observer.

He continued: “Fanatic has rapidly grown into one of the most highly anticipated youth festivals in the Caribbean. Now rebranded as Fanatic Festival, there are two major editions each year. One at the end of June, right as school ends and summer begins; and the other in December, closing the year with festive vibes and grand production… [E]ach staging builds on the last, growing in size, scope, and cultural relevance.”

Fyahman shared some of the high points of the most recent staging of Fanatic.

“Jamal, The Dunceman, he brought fire and flair to the stage with an explosive performance that had fans shouting every lyric and dancing in wild celebration. The event moved into higher gear with two surprise guest performances, Armanii and Skeng, who both brought an unstoppable surge of raw energy and street power to the proceedings,” said Fyahman.

“The vibe was electric, euphoric, and unforgettable. Fanatic has transcended its party origins and transformed into a true festival — a full-scale celebration of youth, freedom, culture, and Caribbean excellence. The crowd was immersed in waves of excitement from start to finish. Every set, every performance, every DJ transition felt like a perfectly curated moment,” the popular MC noted.

Fyahman thanked some of the event’s sponsors and partners whose support, he shared, helped to make Fanatic a success.

“This growth would not be possible without the support of our title sponsor, Campari, whose bold vision and branding continue to elevate the Fanatic experience. Thanks also to our major partners Red Bull, Courvoisier, Jam Barz, Konexx, Tequilero Fiesta, and True Colours,” said Fyahman.

Skeng gets down to business at Fanatic.