Patrons certainly did not come to play around at the 10th anniversary staging of the Strictly 2K Throwback Music Festival on Saturday night.

The National Stadium car park venue was transformed into a sea of jerseys representing local and international football and basketball teams. From Chelsea, Arsenal, Manchester City, and Manchester United’s colours to Lakers, Bulls, Jamaica football jerseys, and many other teams, the fashionable fits perfectly complemented the energetic atmosphere at the highly anticipated edition of the event.

Promoted by 433 Entertainment, the event attracted hundreds of partygoers who turned out to relive the era through dancehall, hip hop, and reggae hits that dominated the early 2000s and 2010s.

The musical energy remained high throughout the night as selectors ZJ Chrome, DJ Vinchi, Coppershot Sound, and ZJ Johnny Kool delivered crowd-pleasing sets packed with nostalgic anthems that kept patrons singing word for word and dancing well into the morning.

Strong alcohol mixes also flowed all night, ensuring the momentum never dipped.

Dancehall artiste Tommy Lee Sparta emerged on stage shortly after 2:00 am to loud screams from eager fans before launching into a high-energy set featuring several of his hit songs including Psycho, Some Bwoy, Mechanic, Under Vibes, and more. His approximately 30-minute performance was further elevated by the Boom Energy Drink backup dancers, whose choreography and stage presence added extra flair to the presentation.

Several figures within Jamaica’s dancehall fraternity were also honoured during the event for their long-standing contributions to the culture. Chimney Records’ Jordan and David, dancer and choreographer John Hype, and producer ZJ Chrome were presented with plaques in recognition of their impact on dancehall music and entertainment over the years.

Speaking with the Jamaica Observer, Co-Director Ibrahim Konteh reflected on the milestone achievement of the Strictly 2K brand reaching a decade.

“What started as a concept has become a staple on Jamaica’s entertainment calendar and that doesn’t happen without consistency, vision, and an audience that believes in what you’re building,” Konteh said when asked what he considered the event’s biggest accomplishment over the last 10 years.

He also expressed satisfaction with Saturday night’s staging, which was held at a new venue configuration.

“Extremely pleased. We raised the bar across the board — new venue, seamless parking, elevated aesthetics, better merchandise, dedicated photo experiences. No complaints. This is the version of Strictly 2K we’ve been working toward,” he shared.

Explaining the decision to feature Tommy Lee Sparta as the headline act, Konteh said the entertainer’s catalogue made him a natural fit for the anniversary celebration.

“Tommy Lee is a hit machine. His catalogue defined a generation. If you were in a party in the 2010s his music was in the mix. For a 10th anniversary celebration of that era, he was the perfect fit,” he explained.

In closing, he said: You can plan all you want, but that energy from the crowd tells you everything you need to know… Simply, thank you for your support, your loyalty, and your feedback, whether it was tough or kind. That feedback told us you cared, and we listened. Here we are at 10 years because of you, and we’re just getting started on the next 10,” Konteh added.

Social media personality Daindra Harrison (left) and actress and content creator Joan McKenzie enjoy the night out at Strictly 2K.