Vybz Kartel - File

by Krista Henry, Staff Reporter

It was an explosive end to the UWI carnival at the beach party, dubbed 'Hawaiian Dreams', last Sunday at Suga Mans Beach Club in Portmore. A variety of selectors and an energetic performance from DJ Vybz Kartel made it a night to remember for the students present.

While some may have wanted to cool off after two nights of carnival fun, the real soca warriors came out in their numbers last Sunday during the evening to have the last lap of fun before exams stress begin.

It was an early vibe for those who came after 1 p.m., as Coppershot's DJ Stylez built a vibe with some early rap songs including Tupac's California Love before he slipping into some '80s rock/disco with Madonna's Like A Virgin. Students rocked out, getting footloose as they tried out some dance moves.

Then it was the time for dancehall, as Stylez dropped retro dancehall and the first set of wining began. As the girls showed how low they could go, not minding the sand, they gyrated right to the ground bringing smiles to the face of the male patrons.

After 4 p.m., more and more students made their way in and the beach slowly filled up. Body artists Eon and Robby went for color on the beach as flocks of girls in their bikinis lined up to get painted and paraded the designs around the beach.

'Sunshine'

These two women had a lot of fun gyrating at the UWI Carnival Road march around the Ring Road and after-party, held at UWI, Mona on Saturday, March 24, 2007. The Hawaiian Dreams Beach Party, held at the Suga man's Beach Club in Portmore continued the soca madness on Sunday. - Winston Sill

Then it was time for some 'Sunshine', as DJ Sunshine took over the wheels of steel and went for the first set of soca tunes for the day with David Rudder's Give Praises. She quickened the pace and urged the men to find a partner and get wild. She juggled up a storm and the students really started getting into it, as hardly any person was left on their feet.

Bloodline took over next, mixing in some new dancehall, as if the patrons were not getting on bad before, some girls jumped on the chairs and worked out to Hot Wuk, Tick Tock, Ukku and many other songs. After working up a heat some patrons decided to cool off in the water - or get even hotter - depending on their intention.

Kurt Riley made waves on the beach. While there was mostly dancehall throughout the night, Riley brought the soca frenzy with some old favourites from Machel Montano, Kevin Lyttle and others. Towards 7 p.m., the selectors got the crowd curious as they announced the arrival of the STAR's special guest artiste. The arrival of Portmore DJ Vybz Kartel caused a mad rush to the front of the selectors as Kartel came out.

Decked out in all white, Kartel gave a marvellous set with songs such as Tick Tock, Mafraudo and many others. The female students in particular were appreciative as they tried to grab him and get a wine. As they crowded around him, Kartel shouted "A who dat a grab mi bls? A yuh dat baby?". One envious female at the back said "A mi future baby dat yuh know, Mi just love him, mi haffi have him baby!"

With Kartel was Deva Brat, a member of the Portmore Empire. Brat got many forwards from the UWI crowd as they shouted 'bullet bullet' to his lyrical mastery. After Kartel departed, his job well done, Coppershot selectors took over followed by Jay and Bobo. Kurt Riley ended the night as the students soaked up the beach. At 11 p.m., students filled out of the beach, most saying it was the best beach party yet.