Reggae artiste Dillgin pulled out a sizeable audience for his ‘Go For the Money Tree’ EP album release party at Kingston 10 Sports Bar and Grill on Wednesday night.
Looking dapper in a burgundy pants, a black shirt with a cream-and-burgundy blazer and black shoes, Dillgin hit the stage singing ‘My Queen’ before seguing into the romantic ballad ‘Heart of Mine’ in keeping with the theme of love of teh pre-Valentine’s Day show.
He turned up the tempo a notch with songs like ‘Smile’ thrilling the audience with a high energy, professional performance that consisted of consecutive knee lifts, kicks and athletic leaps as he worked every square centimetre of the stage.
Dillgin earned a huge forward for ‘Million Miles Away’ as he was forced to pull up the song as the crowd reacted to the expressed sentiments of hard work and perseverance, especially the line: “anno 100 metres this, the race is not for the swift’.
The cacaphony of beating steel pot covers greeted the title track, ‘Search for the Money Tree’ as the crowd ate up every minute of Dillgin’s performance of this song.
“Some people give up on the journey, I and I continue.Ghetto youths, don’t make anything hold you down, I do my nine to five job and return to do music, because survival is the key, and that’s why we keep fighting,” Dillgin said before launching back into the ‘Money Tree’ song.
Clouds of weed smoke, purple under the venue’s lighting, rose in the night sky as Dillgin invited his friend, Gyptian to sing a few songs. Gyptian cranked up the energy with a barrage of hit songs, ‘Serious Times’ , ‘Beautiful Girl’, and ‘Mama Don’t Cry’. Gyptian then paused to speak to the audience.
“Whenever we are in his Dillgin’s town, him support the ting, so naturally we have to forward,” Gyptian said, while hugging his friend.
Gyptian then did covers of John Holt’s ‘Stealing’ and Dennis Brown’s ‘Love’s Got a Hold on Me’ much to the appreciation of the audience.
Dillgin was backed by the Million Miles band. Broadcaster Dionne Mathis was the emcee of the event, while music insider Bridgett Anderson provided the beautiful red-and-white-and-purple decor. Last year, there was a Pump up the Purple promotion encourage individuals, communities, media and celebrities to wear purple for lupus awareness month.
Veteran artiste Screechy Joe, music promoter Trevor ‘Stampede’ Lammie, well-known producer Winston Holness, better known as Niney the Observer, were present as well.
The event was organised by the Dillgin Lupus Foundation and Wall Streetz Records.
