Youth View Awards

I never expected my first real full length post to be on an awards show. Awards shows are usually so boring, but not the Youth View Awards (YVAs). It definitely is up for the exemplary Sun Games award!!

The Youth View Awards is the awards for the youth by the youth in the Jamaican entertainment industry. No 'experts' choosing the nominees - just the Jamaican people and judging from the crowd, it was truly the youth. Most of the non-VIP crowd was under 24 years old. I even saw ten year olds (with parents in tow). A true youthocracy (is there such a word?)! No alcohol was served - it was a Coke Zero world (complete with Coke Zero car).

Then there was the presentation - no heavy, glitzy, velvet curtainy setting. Lots of screens, video-djing and lights! Seriously simple, but high volume at the same time. Big up, Karen Clarke (aka Aunty Karen)!



It was beautifully planned! No long band changes except for the VIP area being choc full.

Now for the highlights of the show:

Chino's outfits were great. I love the purple trend! I think he had on Romeich! MJ would have been jealous. Then there was Aidonia - that outfit was mad too. Why aren't more dancehall designers recognised? Kingsley Cooper should be hunting down White Skky and Romeich for CFW (Caribbean Fashion Week). Biggy has made the transition...I think. So why not more? The fashion world needs to understand that it takes all types! Did I mention Minka's impossibly sexy crochet dress? Now I have!

Applause is due to Dexter Pottinger of 3D Designs. He hooked Tifa up - the costuming in her performance, even the huge letters spelling (not the B-A-D-D-E-S-T) T-I-F-A - were maad.



Then the style icons awards - a truly Jamaican award. Hip Hop and Dancehall does the styling thing!! No grunge roun' here. Anyway the stalwarts won - D'Angel and Beenie Man. Ding Dong and Spice/Tifa were super-strong contenders - but style is a subjective thing and the youth had voted! The Spice model had on a blond wig and amulti-tiered grey skirt. The contrast was amazing.

But let me get to the music - the whole point of the YVAs. I am the granddaughter of a dressmaker - so I look at clothes first!

There was an MTV2 moment! Shady Squad (there is a pic of them in grey and white outfits) took the stage and I really thought I was watching BET. It was soo well executed - especially for a dance with over 10 people. I took no pictures - as my mouth was wide open in awe the whole time. I actually cannot think of a bad performance for the night - but Shady Squad and Tifa stood out.


No comment on the YVAs would be complete without speaking of the Hype crew. The YVAs were promoted in the Star and in Youth link, the teen arm of the Gleaner. The Hype Crew consisted of a dedicated group of young people - who worked so haaard on this show!

Then the Jamaican co-host was Lady Rennae (of RETV). The other co-host was Teyana Taylor. The guest performers were the New Boyz () All amazing! But to me the night belonged to Lady Rennae - Teyana was hilarious - though the burping from KFC did not go down well with the largely Jamaican audience.

Overall, the show was off the chain. When the show ended, it was really the end of an experience. Karen and the hype crew - maaad props! The real proof was how unbelievably packed the after-party was. More space needed next time for it.

Now if only our stage shows left one wanting...for more. Those organisers seem to think that super-long shows are more loved, but the reviews of Sting and Rebel Salute suggest otherwise. Hhhhmmm.

Plus big up to Jahkno.com - as I used some of their pics and they photographed me as well.

PS. I do not work for the YVAs!