2 weeks ago
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Dancehall artiste and dancer Ding Dong lit up the MoBay Jerk and Food Festival on Emancipation Day with a high-energy set that quickly turned into one of the most memorable moments of the evening. Held at the Catherine Hall Entertainment Complex, the entertainer, whose real name is Kemar Ottey, was the event’s headliner and came ready to connect with the crowd.
“How di people dem look so far?” he asked, referring to the space between the VIP section and general admission. “Mi nuh like when di people dem so far from me enuh, cyah strain me eye dem,” he joked.
After performing hits like Badman Fawud Badman Pull Up, Happiness, and Good Ting Dem, Ding Dong left the stage and made his way to the fence dividing the crowd. He climbed up, getting closer to fans who sang and danced along to every word. Some held on to his clothes to steady him, refusing to let go even as he prepared to return to the stage.
Among those reaching out were children, prompting the Bounce artiste to invite several onstage for a dance-off. He sweetened the moment by pulling out several thousand dollars from his own pocket as a prize for the best young dancer.
Just before the competition began, a little girl who looked no older than six years old boldly declared she had a dance crew.
Ding Dong, clearly amused and impressed, asked her to bring them up. “People, dis is the future of dancing,” he said, as the four young dancers assembled onstage, ready to perform.
The motley crew, later dubbed ‘The Jamaican Powerpuff Girls’, wowed the crowd with their moves. Ding Dong and several audience members pitched in, raising $40,000 in support of the young performers.
The MoBay Jerk and Food Festival, which is now in its 16th year, also played host to several artistes including Valiant, Kraff, and Ayetian.
English (US) ·