KINGSTON, Jamaica – It may not have attracted its usual crowd but it didn’t need to. For reggae artistes Ras-I and I Wayne, the acts for the final Tracks and Records Live session on Wednesday, intimacy was key and thus the turnout was perfect.

Before the live performances, Brush 1 the Road Marshall set the tone for a spectacular musical showcase by wooing the crowd with some of the biggest dancehall and reggae tracks. Offering just the right prelude to the live performances, the DJ had the audience warmed up and ready to be transported ‘somewhere wonderful’, which was exactly where Ras-I took them.

In fact, when the singer began performing ‘Somewhere Wonderful’, the crowd erupted in loud cheers, prompting an immediate encore, and some patrons closed their eyes as they sang along to the infectious chorus, perhaps envisioning their own place of escape.

But while his hit single brought him the biggest forward of the night, Ras-I also had the crowd glued to his set as he delivered songs like ‘Kingman Ting’, ‘Bad Boy Bully’, ‘Crazy Over You’ and others. As the night’s biggest act before the main act, Ras-I managed to heat things up enough for I Wayne to completely set the house on fire as the show climaxed.

Lava was spewing everywhere the moment the smooth-sounding vocalist touched the microphone. It was a heat like no other. Performing hits such as ‘Book of Life’, ‘Burn Down Sodom’ and ‘Living In Love’, I Wayne made clear distinctions between what he believes is morally acceptable and what isn’t. Known for not holding anything back when it comes to ‘bunning out’ wrongdoers, the entertainer satisfied his fans who gave him heavy forwards as he preached against sodomy and other issues.

Still, well aware of the sizable amount of female patrons who had turned out to see him, I Wayne wasted no time in his quest to also cater to his adoring female fans. Delivering hits such as ‘I Need her In My Arms’, ‘Touch Her Softly’ and ‘Satisfy Her’, the entertainer ensured all his fans were equally satisfied with his set.

Following the show, Group Marketing Manager for KLE Group/ Franjam, Angiel Myers told Observer Online that the live showcase executed by UBT&R for 2023 was the result of hard work and a commitment to continuing to offer entertainers a platform to showcase their talents.

“I feel incredibly proud of what our team has accomplished throughout the year. The Tracks Live Sessions have become a platform that not only celebrates reggae music but also provides a stage for emerging talents and showcases the diversity within the genre,” she said.

“Each event was a unique experience, and seeing the positive response from both artists and audiences has been truly rewarding. We aimed to create memorable moments, and I believe we’ve achieved that with the 2023 series. It’s been an exciting journey, and we look forward to raising the bar even higher in the coming years.”