Impressions: Chronixx, Junior Reid + Rice and Peas at Central Park SummerStage

July 28, 2014


Words by LargeUp Crew, Photos by Sherwin Dyer

chronixx-light-summerstage

Chronixx continued his best week ever on Saturday with a performance at Central Park SummerStage that won’t soon be forgotten, cementing his status as reggae’s big new attraction. Mick Jagger (Seriously, Mick Jagger) was among those in attendance, watching Chronixx’s set from the side of the stage, and personally congratulating the young singer on a job well done. A capacity crowd of 5,500 witnessed the show from the SummerStage space at Rumsey Playfield, with an estimated 2,000 (and likely a whole lot more) onlookers stretching their ears for a listen beyond the gates.

The event, LargeUp’s first at SummerStage, was a co-production with Okayplayer and Federation Sound, and also featured a performance from Junior Reid, who left a big impression in his own right. Hip-hop legend Rahzel (of The Roots fame) also made a cameo appearance, putting a beatbox spin on dancehall classics between JR and Chronixx’s sets.

Keeping things hype throughout were the Rice and Peas crew—DJs Max Glazer, DJ Gravy and Orijahnal Vibez and MC Micro Don—who warmed the crowd early with classic reggae, rocksteady, rockers and dub and turned up the energy between Junior Reid’s and Chronixx’s sets with dancehall chroreography courtesy of dancers Blacka Di Danca, Sir Ledgen, Mela Murder (of Major Lazer), Nelly, Miss Likkle Bit, Syren, Blacka and Empress Cece.

All of which set the stage for Chronixx and Zincfence Redemption, who closed out the show with a captivating set that included “Here Comes Trouble,” “Odd Ras,” “Smile Jamaica,” among other anthems. Scroll through for the full photo series and the story behind the show.