A gigantic donation box positioned centre stage at Saturday night’s Build Back Jamaica Street Dance at Romeich Headquarters was perhaps the biggest indication that the event was not your regular dancehall party.

But if that were not enough, gospel music permeating the air at different intervals throughout the night proved the purpose was on in earnest.

It was a party on a mission as patrons were reminded of their philanthropic responsibilities and were encouraged to give generously to those affected by Hurricane Melissa.

Nonetheless, patrons put their grief aside, donned their best streetwear, and showed up.

With proceeds from the event set to go towards rebuilding efforts spearheaded by Romeich Entertainment, the man behind the mission worked the crowd, greeting patrons on the ground level and sky deck equally. Romeich Major consistently reminded partygoers that every donation, albeit small, would go a long way in rebuilding the nation as a collective.

“We’re partying tonight, but we have a mission to complete: Buy out the bar because the proceeds go toward rebuilding efforts. Remember, each one helps one, and together we can build back Jamaica,” he said.

An experienced line-up of deejays kept the vibes flowing all night. There was a little bit of something for everyone as R&B hits, hip hop selections, as well as popular dancehall and reggae tunes were in heavy rotation.

Patrons danced up a storm even as they busied themselves at the bars, some setting their liquor aside on countertops scattered in the streets to immerse themselves fully in the moment. The vibes were unmatched, and the energy remained high all night long. In fact, the music was interrupted only by a brief moment of silence in remembrance of lives lost during the catastrophic Category 5 storm.

“Let’s observe a moment of silence for our brothers and sisters who passed away from the hurricane,” Fyahman instructed during his set with DJ Lollipop. Lollipop, having full control of the consoles, gave the moment even more depth as he churned out gospel favourites, including Take Me To The King and CeCe Winan’s Goodness of God. The moment unlocked the audience’s emotions as Fyahman urged the crowd to be grateful for life. Patrons soaked in the magnitude of the moment, some visibly holding their chests, others with arms outstretched in gratitude.

Other song selections throughout the night cemented the attitude of gratitude as selectors carefully crafted their playlists. Songs such as We Are The World, Michael Bolton’s When I’m Back On My Feet Again, Billy Withers’ Lean On Me, and Dionne Warwick’s That’s What Friends Are For, had groups of friends drawing each other into warm embraces.

Taking musical breaks to encourage Dropbox donations, each selector had patrons moving in waves to the front of the stage. Monies in hand, partygoers surged to the stage to fill what was referred to throughout the night as the ‘offering plate’.

When the Jamaica Observer team left the venue at 3:00 am, the party, which was heavily supported by corporate giants, was still in full swing.

DJs Lollipop (left) and Fyahman take a breather, as they were among the line-up of experienced DJs and selectors tasked with bringing the vibes at Saturday’s event.(Photo: Garfield Robinson)

Dancehall artiste Ding Dong out in support at Saturday’s event at Romeich Headquarters on Campbell’s Boulevard.(Photo: Garfield Robinson)

The Boom dancers keep the energy high with specially choreographed moves to some popular dancehall tracks.(Photo: Garfield Robinson)

Romeich Major himself (right) shows by example, contributing to the dropbox set onstage at the Build Back Jamaica Street Dance on Saturday. (Photo: Garfield Robinson)