RISE-ing from controversy to crowd-pleasing execution

Despite early-season controversy, including threats of a boycott following a comment made by RISE producer Orlando Newton at the event’s June launch, the popular Crop Over Wednesday fête was not only well-attended, it was almost flawlessly executed.

At the launch, producers noted that they took public feedback seriously and had returned to the drawing board. Judging by the energy and curation of last night’s show, those adjustments paid off.

This year’s emerging talent spotlight was on Don Trent, a familiar name making a return after a brief hiatus. He confidently commanded the stage, delivering his 2025 offering Baddest Gyal along with fan favourites When Tomorrow Comes and Me & You.

Last year’s featured emerging artiste, Tionne Hernandez, returned with a sprightly, crowd-pleasing performance. Her growing catalogue now includes last year’s Starta Pack, blended with this year’s releases, Shake It A Lot, Physically Fit, Crash Out, and Capture.

Blaka Dan of Grenada, though lesser known to local audiences, was warmly received with his song Blessing, a clear sign of the crowd’s openness to regional talent.

Lady Lava brought a unique edge to the night, infusing spoken word into her set and elevating even her raunchiest lyrics to performance art. Her delivery of Bob the Builder, Ring Finger, and Bounce was magnetic, and the crowd ate it up.

Celebrating 20 years of music, Kes the Band was a hit, especially with the ladies. Frontman Kees Dieffenthaller was charismatic and connected, turning his set into an intimate, joy-filled sing-along. The audience belted out hits like Hello, Savannah Grass, Cocoa Tea, Wotless, and No Sweetness with unfiltered enthusiasm.

He also handed the mic over to Full Blown, who delivered their 2025 hit Good Spirits and snippets of songs they’ve produced or written, including Machel Montano’s Mr Fete, The Fog, and Like a Boss. Despite a few mic issues, their chemistry and joy on stage won the crowd over.

Queen of Soca, Alison Hinds, was elegance and energy rolled into one. Dressed in an emerald green bodysuit with matching sequin cape, she looked and sounded stellar. Backed by Dancin’ Africa, she performed a string of hits — Faluma, Aye Aye Aye, Togetherness, Raggamuffin, Roll It Gal, and Bazodee — and shared a tender duet with John King, performing Hold You in a Song mid-set.

Patrice Roberts, the Trinidadian powerhouse, made her presence felt with a dynamic set and heartfelt moments. She moved between the VIP and general sections, bringing fans into her performance. From Band of the Year to Carry On, Like Yuhself, Money Done and Cyah Hear Yuh, her versatility was on full display. She shared that the night marked the birthday of her late fiancé, Ricardo Drue, before performing their final collaboration, Toxic. Her raw performance of Anxiety struck an emotional chord, leaving fans jumping and shouting the lyrics back with passion.

Closing the show was Skinny Fabulous, whose energy lit up Kensington Oval. Launching into Up & Up, he had the crowd waving flags and screaming along. His vocal flexibility, switching from deep, chant-like delivery to tuneful singing, remains unmatched. He powered through hits like Behaviour Nothing, Erupt, Behaving the Worst, Watch Thing, Do What You Want, and, of course, crowd favourites Famalay and Come Home, the latter turning the venue into a giant chorus.

Despite the pre-season drama, RISE 2025 delivered a high-calibre event that left the audience deeply satisfied.

Speaking to Barbados TODAY, DeCarla Applewhaite, producer of Nouvelle Vie (the company behind RISE), said she was pleased with both the turnout and execution of the event, and she’s already thinking ahead to next year.

She highlighted young local talent like DJ Toes and MC Zari, and emphasised how critical exposure like this can be for their self-esteem, motivation, and long-term development.

Commenting on the night’s energy, she said: “From the curation of the programming, the energy built, and even when the DJs came in, people still stayed. Nobody was moving from their spots.”

“This is year six…. Year seven only has to be better,” she added.

corettajoe@barbadostoday.bb