DJ Jagga

Watching the announcement of the 2009 Heineken Green Synergy competition unfold last Saturday night was much like being a spectator at an athletics Grand Prix 100m race with Usain Bolt involved.

And no Gay or 'safa around.

For when Ity and Fancy Cat, whipping up support for finalists DJ Chungy and DJ Jagga at the Chinese Benevolent Association, Hope Road, St Andrew, said "when I say Chungy you say Jagga", the large but well below shoulder-to-shoulder proportions audience roared back "Jagga!" But when they said "when I say Jagga you say Chungy", they still screamed back "Jagga!"

Fancy Cat, in typically humorous style, asked for the hands of the Chungy supporters. A few popped up and he counted off "Chungy bredda, cousin, family". (Not that the crowd support on the night mattered, as the winner had already been decided through text-in voting).

Roars for jagga

Then, before the contestants stepped up to the selector's console on the big stage, there were recorded clips of trips to see them in their home environment. Chungy's Mandeville voyage was watched in near silence, but as soon as the distinctive coast road to Port Antonio came up on the multiple screens mounted around the venue, there were roars for Jagga.

Confirmation of victory

And to top it off, after semi-finalists DJ Nas and DJ Shine collected their cash and Claro cellphone prizes and the Heineken representatives walked onstage with the winner and runner-up trophies, those at the front started to roar as they glimpsed Jagga's name on the transparent symbol of supremacy. Those holding the trophies turned around, but the 'news' had already been transmitted to the rest of the pro-Jagga audience.

Still, there is nothing quite like the confirmation of victory. So when CVM's hostess for the live television broadcast section of the event stretched out the 'deeeejaaaay!', turned once, faced the audience and said "Jagga!" the thunderous screams which rose to meet the falling multi-coloured confetti were as euphoric as if the win had not been expected. Much like an impressive Bolt victory. And Jagga's rewards were great, too, adding up to seven figures in cash and prizes, plus an internship on FAME FM. DJ Chungy stayed in the six-figure bracket with his prizes, while there were Claro cellphones for the finalists.

Both finalists played before the announcement, the introspective personality Chungy showed in the recorded interview coming through as he focused on some good mixing, throwing mixes at the crowd much like some of Vybz Kartel's lyrics - from unexpected angles to excellent effect. DJ Jagga unwrapped the microphone cord from the stand as he took his turn and added his voice to the music to further whip up an already extremely supportive crowd, the expansive personality he had shown in his recorded interview coming through clearly.

There were surprise cameos from G-Whizz (who also performed after the announcements) and Richie Stephens during Chungy and Jagga's sets, respectively, while Dance Xpressionz dropped coordinated moves throughout much of the show. Thereafter, Coppershot and DJ Bambino's party juggling evolved into a clash, while Ricky Trooper and Jack Scorpio put on a 'veterans' clash before the night went back to partying.