10 hours ago
1
WESTERN BUREAU:
Stalk Ashley delivered a commanding solo set during Reggae Sumfest’s all-black affair Blitz on Wednesday night at the Catherine Hall stadium grounds in Montego Bay. Bringing her usual mix of R&B, dancehall, and soul, she held the crowd’s attention throughout her set.
The event, part of the festival’s weeklong celebration dubbed ‘Seven Days, Seven Nights, One Festival’, saw locals outnumbering foreigners in the audience. A growing contingent of foreigners has also arrived in Jamaica for Sumfest’s 32nd year. The festivities kicked off on Sunday with a family fun day, followed by a street dance on Monday, and Tuesday’s wildly successful all-white party at Pier One on the Waterfront, which is still the talk of the town.
Then came Blitz, and the spotlight belonged to Stalk Ashley and Valiant.
Dressed in a daring outfit and flanked by a team of seductive dancers, Stalk Ashley drew fans to the front of the stage who sang along word-for-word to her songs. It was a clear signal that Stalk Ashley’s music, which explores heartbreak, desire, and self-worth, is resonating not only with her peers, but also with a more mature crowd.
“I enjoyed every moment,” she told The Gleaner shortly after exiting the stage. “There were key moments that were just great … like when Valiant came out, and when I first walked on and saw the crowd reacting.”
“My style changes depending on the moment. It’s about how I feel that day,” she stated when asked about the statement piece she was wearing.
Valiant, her longtime collaborator, was not a surprise guest, but the onstage chemistry between them reignited excitement around their track, Narcissistic, released two years ago, drawing loud cheers.
Her self-assurance was undeniable. “It’s just that inner knowing of who I am, regardless of what’s being said on the outside,” she said.
Recently, Stalk Ashley, through law firm Cardinal Law and a personal statement posted to her official Instagram, firmly denied accusations of sexual abuse, mistreatment and drug misuse involving dancehall artiste Bad Skyla, levied against her and manager and music producer Jaxx, describing them as “false” and “without factual foundation”.
Stalk Ashley, who is based in Kingston, has been steadily building momentum. Just two days before her Reggae Sumfest performance, she released a new single titled Chosen. And on Friday, August 29, she’ll headline her own show, Stalk and Friends, in Kingston, a major move for the rising star.
“It’s going to be big,” she teased.
Stalk remained coy about any new contracts or upcoming ventures but hinted that, in time, all would be revealed.
English (US) ·