GT Taylor's Extravaganza has become one of the few remaining calendar events that have ridden out the worst of the recession to be among the "last events standing". What began in and around other calendar events including Sting, with reservations of its December 25th staging, has become, pardon the cliché, larger than life. In its ten years Extravaganzahas seen strided achievements. The event began with support from the entertainment arena, for which the Irie disc-jock GT "one up straight up" Taylor has given insomnia-like support to. Dubbing himself the "dance hall master" GT Taylor has represented the ambits of Jamaican music reggae and dancehall on all fronts.
Taylor who came to the reggae radio in the nineties with a distinct sound and willingness to speak the language of the common people, with its slangs and slurs earned disciples in Irie FM "residents" in radio-land. GT Taylor would keep listeners up on a Thursday - Friday Night with cutting edge new releases, mind reading selections and mustering of everyday people. Like religion, taxi operators, higglers, the little corner shops, and every little crevice where Irie FM was coming through your radio would tune in like clock work would tune in to "the dance hall master".
GT Taylor Extravaganza not only braved one of the most cherished calendar dates to host a show on the Christmas Day but invested in St. Elizabeth to host their major event on that day. Starved for entertainment and shrouded by the stereo type that only Kingston or the major cities could host reggae events of significance. A number of reggae and dance hall promotions would later come and go. GT Taylor Extravaganza would prove that it was here to stay.
Christmas Day turned "Extravaganza Day"
The promotions commitment to the entertainment arena has bore fruit in other areas outside music and entertainment. Today part proceeds from Extravaganza go to worthy causes. Like Christmas Day, the day Extravaganza is presented on, is known as a giving day, so too is "Extravaganza Day".
Working in tandem with the St. Elizabeth Care Committee, GT Taylor Extravaganza has helped to provide shelter for the homeless that would normally be seen loitering in and around St. Elizabeth. Proceeds from the event have helped to provide much needed food, clothing, medication and shelter for a number of homeless persons. "Homelessness is not a disease it’s a problem that we can do something about" GT Taylor said.
GT and JAGRA
Now in its tenth year anniversary celebration staging, GT Taylor Extravaganza has aptly join synergy with a product that similar to Extravaganza broke down stereotypes to push the boundaries in adult drink, the Jamaican Viagra, yes...Jagra .Yesterday, November 2, promoter GT Taylor inked and shook hands on the deal that should witness both entities, the Wray and Nephew child, Jagra and St. Elizabeth's Christmas Day event, Extravaganza taking this December 25th by storm.
"It's a milestone achievement to get to ten. Over the years we have tried to keep the event running on time. This is a standard we try to maintain"says GT with all thanks to support from entertainment industry, media and their new title sponsors.
On hand to mark this milestone achievement were Karlene Walters, Brand Development Manager at Wray and Nephew and Andrew Price, Marketing Manager. Describing the new Jagra phenomenon, Walters, instrumental in the success of Magnum Tonic Wine describes the mellow vibes drink as the "cognac" of roots wine. Ms Walters also expressed enthusiasm with the new partnership with the St. Elizabeth event, Extravaganza as complimentary to that strategy. Andrew Price also agreed, explaining that what Wray and Nephew did was to geographically place the "Jamaican Viagra" Jagra in locations where it could be all in the face of roots wine lovers. And like most great wines, its ingredients horny goat weed, guarana (hard wood) ginseng among others served as sales pitches for the wine's attraction. That’s not the only thing that will be all up in, Jagra and Extravaganza lovers face. According Andrew Price Jagra is also quite proud of the voluptuous figures associated with the drink, in Jagra Vixens. Drop jaws beautiful and sexy women of varying descriptions. "If you notice our Vixen girls are of different shades and appearances. This was intentional to give a wide perspective of our representation" Ms Walters explained.
"What we did was to strategize. We identified four great events that we could align with these included Sumfest, General Degree's Manchester, popular street dances Passa Passa and Weddy Weddy among others" Ms Walters explained. With classy promotional Sun Island T's and caps tagged with their calling catch phrase "Rule Yuh Worl", using entertainers to drop catchy jingles and the aphrodisiac-like ingredients of Jagra, the horny goat wine "sell off".
"Just like GT Taylor Extravaganza is making waves with Extravaganza we at Jagra want to create waves with this prestigious promotion hopefully for another ten years. And as usual despite the event being promoted as a family oriented event, Walters emphasizes "drinking responsibly". The signing of Jagra as title sponsors of the event took place at the Wray and Nephew, Tia Maria building on Spanish Town Road. "What this means is that Jagra in its extensive promotion will carry GT Taylor Extravaganza to all our street promotions and otherwise". And in turn the efforts will be returned in GT Taylor's use of Digital One’s public relations/promotions team, in print and electronic media of the December 25th staging."
Extravaganza Posters Look Good
A dazzling tenth anniversary GT Taylor Extravaganza has artistes dripping off the poster. "We wouldn't have the space to put everyone if we tried" says GT. This has become quite synonymous to the staging of Extravaganza each year. Year after year the Irie dis-jock GT Taylor contends not with putting together an exciting entertainment package which he does, through bringing together the best of the yesteryear with the best of today's crop. This year the tenth anniversary is no different. From major headliner stalwarts and cornerstones, Marcia Griffiths, Buju Banton, Beenie Man, Tarrus Riley and Vegas to new comers Khago, G-Whizz andSophia Squire along with sound systems. As a matter of fact yearly GT Taylor struggles with trying to wrap up the show owing to its multitude of artistes who attend the event.
The lifespan of an entertainer is unpatriotic as the winter breeze on a tropical breeze. For a particular and peculiar moment, you will wear the pyjamas of a cat and the next fleeting days, you are an overweight dinosaur. It takes a particular magic, stamina, charm and luck, to remain a legend even for a decade and still be relevant with the ever-changing times. Roy George Taylor is a Jamaican icon that has remains relevant in the entertainment industry from the late sixties to present times. This young entertainer has been able to maintain a distinct hypnotic aura over his audience and is not ready to roll over and die. This genius has been able to reinvent himself and create a niche in broadcasting, acting, show promoting, and record producing, as a compeer among other functions, in the wide range of entertainment services. George Taylor was born in Kingston on November 23 1949.He attended Russells and All Saints All Age, Vauxhall High. Kinston Technical before Medgar Evers College 9in New York where live for 13 years. A popular emcee from the late sixties, he got involved in acting and played major role in plays such as the Village Rooster, Gun Court Affair, and Obeah Wedding among others. He had the chance to create history as the person to compeer the first set of Tastee Talent Shows .He was deeply involved in stand up comedy when he migrated to New York and formed a group called the Ticklers and created a buzz and prominence in the nightclub scene in the tri-states area for many years.
GT Taylor returned to Jamaica in the early nineties. He started the Occasions Club in Braes River St Elizabeth. This hip club along with its weekly talent shows co-produced by Howard Hendriks (of Linkz FM ) was able to draw attention to the young growing dancehall movement in the early nineties and was soon to be awarded Best Rural Club in Jamaica several times. The highpoint to the popularity of the club was the hosting of a 21 sound clash never before in the history of Dancehall Jamaica. He moved to Whitehouse Westmoreland with a name change to Club Classique. He then returned to Santa Cruz, St Elizabeth with the same flavor .However with the economic crisis and the dwindling value of the dollar, he was forced to close the club in the early part of the new millennium.
GT Taylor returned to Jamaica in the early nineties. He started the Occasions Club in Braes River St Elizabeth. This hip club along with its weekly talent shows co-produced by Howard Hendriks (of Linkz FM ) was able to draw attention to the young growing dancehall movement in the early nineties and was soon to be awarded Best Rural Club in Jamaica several times. The highpoint to the popularity of the club was the hosting of a 21 sound clash never before in the history of Dancehall Jamaica. He moved to Whitehouse Westmoreland with a name change to Club Classique. He then returned to Santa Cruz, St Elizabeth with the same flavour .However with the economic crisis and the dwindling value of the dollar, he was forced to close the club in the early part of the new millennium.
The deep love for the microphone led GT Taylor into the world of radio. A brief stint as a freelance announcer with Radio Jamaica led him to Jamaica’s hottest radio station Irie FM where he has been working for over 12 years .The high popularity of his Thursday and Friday night shows has opened the opportunity to emcee at top events such as Sting, Reggae Sunfest, Sunsplash both yard and abroad .He has been the leader in the polls/ratings in the Jamaica with the number one night show for years. He has won several awards local and international for his contribution to radio. The nights at Irie FM would not be irie without GT Taylor.
GT Promotions, his company is integral to his success. Due to the high demand for playing music in the dancehall, he created his crew called the GT Aggregation that has been ramming dancehall weekly at home and abroad since early 2000.One of the high point of his success is the respectability garnered of playing in competition with the cult legend of David Rodigan from London. These occasions had been the talk of the town for weeks.
GT Taylor was always encountering a great problem with space. From the days of Occasion Club in Braes River, there was never sufficient space to host his show. This led to changing concepts to develop a Christmas show in a park which was christened GT Taylor Extravaganza. For the past seven years this show has been at either Font Hill Beach Park or Black River Independence Park in St Elizabeth. He has been able to select from the wide cross section of artistes across the different genres that is from the reggae tree. It is of no surprise to see Beenie Man, John Holt,Shaggy, Mr. Vegas,Ninja Man,Movado, Morgan Heritage, Richie Innocent, Ken Boothe, Elephant Man. Luciano, Perfect, TOK, Tanya Stephens among others performing on one show for the night. He received the award for Best Stage Show 2007 from Irie FM for the chapter of Gt Taylor Christmas Extravaganza taken place December 2007.He venture with a new series entitled GROOVIN on April 2008 in Negril with the caliber of Freddie McGregor, Jimmy Riley, Marcia Griffiths and Beres Hammond. This will become another annual calendar event similar to Christmas Extravaganza. One could never describe George as a self-centred person as he always gives to charities such as to the Black River Hospital among others from the proceeds of the show. His love for his home parish of St Elizabeth is unquestionable in supporting the sick and the needy.
GT Taylor has just started experimenting in record production. This was not a dream but rose from the demand of the youths in the business that felt he is an avenue that their voices can be heard. With his first album about to hit the streets, a unique characteristic is that the compilation is a mixture of established and fresh talents. He is known to assist the career of young artistes by playing good songs that some other disc Jockeys overlooked. Gt Taylor is the man that is loved by artistes and fans alike across the growing world of Reggae.
GT Taylor is still the man to watch. This man will still be the Dance Hall master for years to come
The Magnum GT Extravaganza 2008
The Howard Hendriks Review
The ninth staging of the Magnum GT Extravaganza will indeed be memorable and controversial. This Excellent show was the fruit of team effort from the view point of the promoters. For Days before the event, the Independence Park, Black River St. Elizabeth was buzzing with work and technical crews just to ensure that most aspect of this massive production component was right. God did his work by using the sun to reduce the moisture on the grounds; the amount of mosquitoes and there was no rain for days. This ninth staging was the best of production of the Christmas Extravaganza since its inception.
DJ Clive from VBYZ fm and the GT Aggregation started the show at 8:32pm. He introduced a hot female group called “H” comprised of Speshi, Max and Lace. They graced the audience with “Still together”, “you don’t care” and “Along with you”. This group could be the next brick and Lace. Rally Back from Linstead was amazing and amusing with his style of daggering. Dee Flex was consistent with his songs “Money”, Suh it Set” and “Seek fi food”. The conscious Sophia Squire THRILLED with lyrics such as “Nuh guns” and “What we gonna do”. I – Merge showered his praises with “Independent girls” and “Pagans”. Blacka Shine received the first encore of the night with “Naw look nuh girl” and “Mr. Settle down” leading into the first intermission.
DJ Bones from Irie fm restarted the show by introducing the Gumption Band at 9: 28pm. Baptist kicked off with his “Gideon Boots” while Bobby Tenor was “***living on the battle field”. Prince Pankhi from New York song was cool with“Nuh bus it fi bus” and his hit “My Jamaican girl”. King Shad rock poured his sorrows for the victims of the truck accident in Portland and dedicated “Music fi lead the people” and “Spur Tree Road”. Sugar Bear, the hometown hero, living in New York dictated well his “Herb Story”. The diminutive Dada slick in his trench coat, hit his audience wicked like Adolph Hitler. The energetic villa Dutch and Feekez pleaded for a better world. This is a group to watch in 2k9. Nature sounded like the great Garnet Silk dropped “Hold on” and “Good over evil”.
The uprising Easy Wayne, the Ras Ambassador from Black River ripped the park literally in pieces. He pushed “Where it comes from” and exited the stage too quickly to the disappointment of his fans. Black River is pushing out some exciting young artistes. Unlike previous years, this Up Coming Artiste Section was the most exciting segment creating the excitement that drove the rest of the night into higher gear. There was no low point or unprofessional behavior which helps to prove that the media helps to bury the rising stars of Jamaica. There was no mention of these acts in any of the reviews emanating from the show.
DJ Clive and the live Wyya band opened the Old Veteran segment. The roots singer Ed Fitzroy performed a very short professional stint with “Tenement yard” and “Prison life”. Admiral Tibet created tremors across the park with “Leave people business”, “Terrorist” and “Serious times”; Nigger Mikey AKA. Mikeylous complained bitterly about his short groove after mashing up the place with “Bad mind ah kill dem”. The gravel voiced Jigzy King kept up the momentum and paved the way for the crooner George Nooks. Prince Mohammed could do nothing wrong. He had the crowd singing “Forty leg”, “Rest your love on me”, Tribal war”, “God is standing by” and encored with “Left with a broken heart”. The mega star from South St. Elizabeth, Terry Linen kicked the crowd to an ecstatic high. There were lighters and more lighters, aerosol sprays and more sprays. He bulldozed his audience with songs such as “Call on a friend”, “Missing you” and “No time to linger. LLittle Hero blessed the park with songs of praises while the group LUST devastated the crowd and created a choir with “Just as I am”.
The two Leroy’s had all the mamas calling bellowing and screaming. Leroy Sibbles went vintage with “Pretty looks” and “Please be true”. Leroy Gibbons came prepared to steal the show with “Magic Moment and “Four season lover”. He encored with “lovers question”. Kiprich came with a purpose. He promised to deliver serious damage at sting. He stated that he would have no behavior, and the youngster really shined. Stacious stung with her “Goodaz”. My favorite singer Mykal Rose had a “shoot out” before another break. This section of the concert should have been on fast forward to close the show. After this, the veteran segment it was just anticlimaxes and climaxes when the excitement dampers due to inconsistent performances from the younger dancehall act.. The lesson learnt, never underrate Jamaican singers versus the hype deejays.
Nuffy from Portmore reignited the fire when he introduced Duane Stephenson performing “Ghetto pain” and “Cottage in Negril”. The ladies were treated royally by Taurus Riley. He received a choir of whistles during his performance of “Stay with you” accompanied with a brilliant saxophone solo segment by Dean Fraser. DJ Sunshine introduced I-Octane who punched like a heavy weight boxer. Ron Mushette and Prince drew for Harry Toddler. He lick shots with “Dress like we”, “More money” and “Don’t rush in”. Charlie Black is an entertainer to watch for 2009. He was fulfilling with “Bubble for me” and “Buddy buddy”.
Michelle Downer is becoming a star. D Angel gave several testimonies in song about her personal struggles. She is indeed becoming stronger. She touched the baby fathers and represented the down town girls. Jah Mason had me in a nervous mood throughout the night. First, there was a problem so I had to help him get to backstage since security was real tight but professional. Jah Mason had all the patience in the world. I really wanted to see his performance since he is revered as a reggae God in Europe. Jah Mason came dressed in solid white. Jah Mason was professional and got my full respect. He was firing hot Carbine with songs such as “Escape the system”, “Pray the most high”, “Life without Jah”, “Only love”, “The mega, “Princess gone”, and encored with “Farmer man”.
Chuck Fender blazed his fire with “Gash Dem”, “Murderah” and “Coming over tonight”. Spice was hot red hot, pepper hot. The lady in red erupted with “Fight over man”, Go whey” and Carnal abuse acapella”. She stated that she is not going to clash with any woman at Sting and it is enjoyable to clash with men. She gyrated and bubble with Nuffy in the “Ramping shop”. She called on Baby Tash and it was lyrical mix up to the end of her performance. After this, I started to feel tired, then I lost my tooth.
Stone Love and the Magnum girls provided good fun during the numerous band changes. The Dasceca band backed Bugle as he sang about his journey. Mavado hit the stage like a real gladiator. The crowd roared like a pack of lions when he told them to tune into Sting and that he was the real gangster. He delivered two lined snippets from his hits for just seven minutes. His performance was much too short since he was not limited by the stage manager. This was the act that most fans came to see. So he came, so he disappeared into the night with his bus load of foot soldiers running in tow. Aidonna was next, his performance was tense since he was using some choice expletives. This is one artiste that does not have the charisma to do that without offending. It was fun watching from backstage to see the police edging towards him. At times I felt to say “lock him up” since there was no justification for that type of expression in Black River.
Jeffery Campbell AKA Assassin returned some sanity to the show.. He had the crowd in his hands Anthony B declared that he wanted a clash with Cecile, Tanya Stephens, Macka Diamond and Marcia Griffiths. He punched hits like “Mr. lonely”, “Tease her”, “Mr. Homeless” and encored with “Raid the barn” after sharing the stage Cutty Corn.
The original gold teeth Don Gargon Ninjaman was next. He declared that merciless was a worthless Deejay and he should be declared as a Heineken star time performer. He noted that every Deejay that he has slaughtered got rich. He shared the stage with Munsel. The show got tense when his entourage and the Doctor met backstage before the performance of Moses Davies. The police was about to stop the show; however, they discovered that there was no animosity between the artistes. Beenie man closed the show with the help Baby Tash and Kitty Paw. He had the crowd dancing to his hits in the early morning.
There were no performances from Coco Tea, Etana, Bounty Killer, Konshens and Vybz Kartel among others. Thus, there were some fans who felt cheated as a result. However, some of these entertainers were not really missed but, it would have been nice to hear Coco Tea sing “Barack” or Etana singing “Roots”. Furthermore, some artistes do not understand the word ‘commitment’ and are unable to understand that money does not grow on trees. Most of their fans had to work hard and save their money for the show and the promoter did not pick up their deposit on the Black River Bridge. The posters were in the public domain for weeks and their managers could have declared their inabilities via the press. Where are these managers? I feel that a lot of dancehall artiste need guidance but, I can say the same for their managers. This is a part of the reason why there was no real dancehall hits for 2008. The Extravaganza show was seen as another venue or event to pursue the boorish “Tracing match” that has taken over an industry that was built by artistes with strong foundations.
There were other elements that were exceptional. John Swaby provided the best stage and lights for years. The security details were professional. Headline entertainment and King Howard kept the promotion in the limelight. Richie Innocent assisted the veteran Worrel King and team with stage management. Meanwhile, the sponsors should be smiling ALL the way to the bank. Let us hope that there will be a strong tenth anniversary of this St. Elizabeth show.
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Blessed love GT, hope all is well? please check out my New song TRIBUTE FOR MIHAEL JACKSON. feel free to download, add to your profile or leave acomment. Respect for the support.
