TOP 10
SINGLES
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CARIB Jerk Fest
TOP 10
ALBUMS In what was clearly the best
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The Middle
Zedd, Maren Morris & Grey
Psycho
Post Malone Feat. Ty Dolla $ign
Nice For What
Drake
Never Be The Same
Camila Cabello
Delicate
Taylor Swift
No Tears Left To Cry
Ariana Grande
In My Blood
Shawn Mendes
Meant To Be
Bebe Rexha & Florida Georgia Line
God’s Plan
Drake
Mine
Bazzi
EVERYTHING IS LOVE
The Carters
Nasir
Nas
Youngblood
5 Seconds Of Summer
Liberation
Christina Aguilera
Post Traumatic
Mike Shinoda
The Greatest Showman
Soundtrack
SQUARE UP (EP)
BLACKPINK
Redemption
Jay Rock
?
XXXTENTACION
KIDS SEE GHOSTS
KIDS SEE GHOSTS
Presented by
wireless
weather for the festival in years —
with temperatures in the high 80s,
with no rain whatsoever and ample
sunshine — the culture of the
region was on fully display before
enthusiasts and supporters.
The event – hosted by the
South Jersey Caribbean Cultural
and Development Organization
(SJCCDO), headed by Philadelphiabased
Kylla Herbert, whose late
father, Nkem Tshombe, a native
of St. Kitts and Nevis, founded
the festival in 2001 — featured a
wide range of cultural events, and
showcased myriad Caribbean paraphernalia
and food.
Brooklyn’s Tropical Fete organization was
on hand, with stilt dancers and steel pan
music; Brooklyn-based Alex Kwebena Colon
and the Garifuna Ensemble offered bits of
Garifuna culture through singing, dancing and
drumming; the Philadelphia Pan Starz Steel
Orchestra banged out Caribbean sounds; and
Trinidad and Tobago Soca sensation Erphaan
Alves revved up party animals.
There were also, among others, dance
by Domination Dance, representing the
Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico; and
reggae music from Jamaica, with Skilli Bangs,
Ras Professor, GY Phya and Omaje.
In addition, carnival costumes were exhibited,
with Camden resident Dr. Berdine Gordon-
Litterean, who traces her roots to the Bahamas,
making the rounds with her annual display.
“I represent my father by doing this for
him,” said Dr. Gordon-Litterean, who mentors
Caribbean L 42 ife, July 19–25, 2019 BQ
Third World band members with Hollywood actor, Leon,
during a set. Photo by Tangerine Clarke
doctoral students at St. Joseph’s University in
Philadelphia, in a Caribbean Life interview.
“I come every year,” she added, taking in
the sounds of the Philadelphia Pan Starz
Steel Orchestra. “It’s a passion of mine. I love
representing my Caribbean culture.
“I’m just blessed to have Caribbean blood,”
Gordon-Litterean continued. “It makes me
unique. I know my roots.”
Caribbean food also filled the air, with
vendors, primarily Jamaican, servicing
favorites, such as curry goat and rice and peas;
oxtail; and stew chicken.
“This is a wonderful thing,” Philadelphia
resident James Cordice, coordinator and
founder of St. Vincent and the Grenadines’
Penn Relays initiative, told Caribbean Life.
“It’s a good thing for the family; get the kids
together; expose them to the culture,” added
Cordice, also a chef, among other things,
who provides meals annually for festival
performers.
two of Jamaica’s dancehall
music greats, Spragga Benz,
and Cham for loud, energetic
performances.
The zestful Carlton Errington
Grant, show name Spragga
Benz, a dancehall deejay,
who was also honored with a
citation, could not contained
himself, blaring out, hits like
“Jack it Up,” “A1 Love,” among
others, during a rousing set.
He sat on a speaker on stage
in an emotional cry, calling on
the country to unite, “show
youth a life is worth living,
“numb the pain,” he cried
out, as sweat dripped from his
body, during a captivating and
incredible performance.
The Honors Wingate Series
highlighted the talents of Afro-
Caribbean with various artistes
singing songs including “Roots
Rock Reggae,” “Waiting In
Vain” by legend Bob Marley,
and the music of Dennis Brown
and Gregory Isaacs.
The night was packed with
top ranking acts, and a starstudded
cast, that included,
Leon, Hollywood singer and
actor, of movies, Cliffhanger,
The “Temptations”, and “Five
Heartbeats,” among others at
the helm, sharing the stage
with the “Rocking You,”
“Rocking You,” deejay of WLIB
107.5 FM, Dahved Levy.
They kept the show lively,
bringing to the stage another
giant in dancehall music, the
“blinged-up” fireball himself,
Cham, a citation recipient.
Cham, who received the
honor from Deputy Borough
President, Ingrid Lewis-Martin,
Assemblywoman Latrice
Walker, and Assemblywoman,
Rodneyse Bichotte, on behalf
of Borough President Eric L.
Adams, brought the audience
to the front of the stage with
cell phones.
The hip-gyrating dancehall
king, who recorded, hit,
“Ghetto Story,” with Grammyaward
winner songstress, Alicia
Keys, rammed a slew of songs,
including hit, “Wine Up Me
Body,” into his routing, as he
“scanted” up and down the
stage.
The earthshaking night
of music could not come to
an end without carnival-clad
revelers. They brought, spice,
rhythm, and gyrations to
acclimatize the audience to the
beautiful tropical Caribbean. It
was a memorable evening that
transformed nationals back
home.
Continued from Page 41
Camden resident, Dr. Berdine Gordon-Littrean, of
Bahamian parentage, displays her costume.
Photo by Nelson A. King
Continued from Page 41
Continued from Page 41
In addition to 30 food
vendors, 20 novelty booths,
Kidz Zone, tasting and cooking
demonstrations, popular
artistes will excite the crowd
with Reggae and Soca music.
Some of the top Reggae
and Soca artistes include
Christopher Martin, Capleton,
Shenseea, Bunji Garlin, Fay-
Ann Lyons, and Blakka Ellis.
To purchase tickets, go to
https://caribtix.com/eventdetails.
THIRD WORLD
Bunji Garlin captures a
Soul Train Award for “Best
International Performance.”
Jonathan Mannion