Miss Kitty (second left) makes a comment as fellow judges Scatta (left), General Degree (second right) and guest Tanya Stephens listen in at Saturday night's Magnum Kings and Queens of Dancehall show, held at Weekenz, Constant Spring Road, St Andrew. - Mel Cooke photo

On Saturday night Tisha and Krueger were sent packing and the remaining six Magnum Kings and Queens of Dancehall given two turns at the microphone before an enthusiastic audience at Weekenz, Constant Spring Road, St Andrew.

When the lyrics of their favourite songs had settled and the judges comments had healed or hurt, Tikki, RC and Poor and Boasy were clearly crowd favourites.

And after Pretty Boy Floyd, who dropped in ample humour throughout the night, gave Krueger and Tisha their final talk on the show, the six were required to do a song they had already performed and then another about safe sex.

step up a notch

Immediately, the popularity which had been indicated by the cheers at the opening announcements showed, Tikki ripping the house with No Gal No Badda Dan Me - Miss Kitty commenting, "You step up a notch."

RC's roots reggae meditation "Up inna de hill top" hit hard, the audience singing along, and Tanya commented: "The lyrics sell off because people a sing it an' it no deh pon radio."

Destiny's final line, "Not even a garbage bin fe put dem dutty life in", roused the audience and Degree said "Me like yu style, me like yu lyrics."

Nazine's ode to the "natural woman" did not have tremendous impact, although those who knew the lyrics sang along. Tanya noted that he needs some lyrical development, although it is obvious he has a fan base and that is a good thing.

an 'ouch' moment

There was an 'ouch' moment, when after Celebrity's song about "me no want no abuser", Degree said: "you come out, look like somebody really beat you before you come out', clarifying, "me a talk musically." And Kitty advised Celebrity that she has a breathing problem and "smile!"

There were huge whoops for Poor and Boasy, which got even louder for his hook "Oh oh, poor an boasy again!" - firecrackers going up over Weekenz. "Me like it. Me nah lie. Mad. Me waan poor an boasy too," Stephens said. "Even over the noise, I got it."

There were changes of attire for all the performers as they went into their safe sex songs, Tikki wiggling her little yellow skirt at the end of One Stop, "Yu no have a rubber yu cyaa pop di's/go look anodda gal or go back," she said, without completing the line and the crowd erupted. Degree complimented her on her punchline, but Tanya said "The verse was very strong. The hook could be stronger."

Poor and Boasy closed the night on a bang, declaring "me nah mek no flex widdout me Durex", earning a standing ovation from Miss Kitty.

Tikki works the audience during her first stint at Saturday night's Magnum Kings and Queens of Dancehall show, held at Weekenz, Constant Spring Road. - Colin Hamilton/Freelance photographer