Words by Jesse Serwer and DJ Gravy:::Video by Kevin Ornelas:::Photos by Anthony Andrada
This year’s Okayplayer Holiday Jam at Brooklyn Bowl was truly one for the ages: among other highlights, it marked the first time the Roots Crew ever combined their forces with dancehall all-stars like Patra and Shaggy. Well, here we bring you official visual evidence of exactly how mad this truly unique night was. In the first of three videos from the party that we’ll be premiering here the next few days, Rahzel sets things up with a beatbox version of the Bam Bam riddim, leading the audience in a singalong of “Murder She Wrote,” before bringing a dapper, cocktail-toting Shaggy (“Mi under mi liquor and yuh know it have some ice”!) out for a siiickkk combination on the Stalag riddim.
Eventually the Roots, starting with Questlove on drums, join in as the Godfather of Noyze and Mr. Lover Lover lead a chant-a-long, mixing vibes from “Buddy Bye” and “Dust Out a Sound Bwoy.” If this video doesn’t get you hyped up and feeling good about music, you may want to check your ears—and your blood pressure. Look out for Part Two, with more special guests (Hint: Shaggy drops one of their names, at 2:57, and another at 4:50)—just in time to show the family on Christmas Eve, and read the full recap here.
