Pre-show gets things going

King Bubba and Riddim Tribe performing in the pre-show. (Picture by Christoff Griffith)

If the pre-show is anything to go by, this year’s MQI/98.1 The One Soca Royale was going to be something special.

Some of the sweetest tunes of the Crop Over season set the stage for what is expected to be tight Sweet Soca and Party Monarch competitions later today at Bushy Park.

The 98.1 deejays Dove, Mikey Dread, Timeless and Verseewild welcomed those who arrived early to get the best vantage points.

As the crowds slowly built and people set down their chairs and picnic baskets, MC Jamarr The Star kept the show ticking.

King Bubba and the FM Band started to Jiggle It and then invited the talented dancers from Riddim Tribe to individually show their jiggles, wiggles and jooks.

Marzville, who was mashing up Bushy Park last year with Give It To Ya was part of the pre-show. He gave the audience a taste of Roughness smoothing it out with some Sweetness.

Hypasounds made it to Bushy Park, but not as a competitor and dropped the popular Dip, Sugar Rush and Wine After Wine.

Leadpipe and Saddis did not disappoint with Ben Up and their Bashment Soca offering Come Down with the vintage Come Down When Uh Call Yuh hook.

Joaquin and Tiny Winy brought the rain which sent patrons scampering for cover. The umbrella/whistle man worked the crowd, never one to miss an opportunity to make a sale.

But the show never stopped during the ten-minute downpour.

King Bubba returned to close out that segment as the rain went away and the jam continued with DJ Indian and Chris Gayle. (SAT)