Sheena Gayle, Gleaner Writer

Western Bureau:

Revellers and carnival fans felt completely liberated on Independence Day with the staging of ATI's Hip Hop J'Ouvert, which lived up to its hype of delivering an all-inclusive wet and wild event last Thursday.

Hundreds of young, enthused patrons converged at Wavz Beach along the Norman Boulevard in Negril to indulge their appetite for excitement at one of ATI's signature events, which saw several new and repeat fans of Hip Hop J'Ouvert.

One such first-timer was Lisa Hudson of Ocho Rios, who revealed that the reputation of the event made her travel from St Ann to Negril.

"It's my first time coming to the event and I decided to come because every year I hear persons talking about it and how hype it is so I had to come here and experience for myself. I didn't regret it and it's worth every money spent," Hudson noted as she sipped on her alcoholic beverage and danced to the infectious rhythm of soca music.

An equally enthused and avid ATI partygoer, Michael Longshaw, from Montego Bay, was lost for words to sum up the amount of fun he has been having on his second year of Hip Hop J'Ouvert.

Decorated with body paint from head to toe and his hand occupied with two alcoholic beverages, Longshaw noted, "This is the party to be at. It's my second time to ATI overall and it keeps getting better. The only way to describe it is pure fun."

Musical maestros

A mixture of soca, hip hop and dancehall was provided by musical maestros Dr Dre and DJ Smoke of Renaissance, while DJ Taj, Richie D and DJ Superstar wreaked havoc on the beach as the patrons created a dancing frenzy which continued until the music stopped at 10 p.m.

However, it was DJ Smoke of Renaissance Disco, which celebrates its 20th anniversary on Saturday, who commanded the attention of patrons as he played raunchy favourites from Vybz Kartel, such as Rampin' Shop, that transformed the venue into a showcase of non-stop wining, much to the delight of the eagerly enthused males.