By Darling Nicky

Music makes the world go round.  It also makes people travel far and wide.  So it came as no surprise that when the announcement  was unveiled that an event called “THREE KINGS” would be held in the far reaches of Oshawa  (a good 30 minutes behind God’s Back  for your average Torontonian) that it would still be one of the most well attended events of the year so far. 

THREE KINGS was an inaugural event celebrating the 3 reggae DJ’s that have been most responsible for nourishing and elevating the Canadian reggae music scene based in Toronto.  It was my honour (and the honour of many hundreds more) to congregate at The Big Sexy in Oshawa, Ontario on January 15th, 2010 to pay homage to our reggae monarchy.

KING #1: Spex the Riddim Track Master (The Riddim Track Show 9-midnite Sundays on Flow 93.5 FM or Flow935 and 2-time Stylus Award winner for Reggae DJ of the Year).

KING #2: Lindo P a.k.a. Lindissimo (The DJ – The Selector – The Artist, “Let’s Get Married”, “Sunshine”, Stylus Award winner for Reggae DJ of the Year).

KING #3: The “Fire Kid” Steenie – (Toronto’s #1 Dancehall DJ)

To witness this historical moment where these three DJ’s  - who let’s be honest – throughout their careers have been opponents in sound clashes, on the streets, and on the airwaves – come together under one roof for the FIRST TIME EVER as a united trio in their own honour.....you could best be sure the party was rammed!  We were taken on a musical journey that started with some early juggling by Suppanatty, and ventured through dancehall, foundation, Lover’s Rock, and everything in between. 

The event was so highly anticipated, that many DJ’s from many other genres of music found their way to the depths of Durham region to witness the “inauguration”.   As I am a dual resident of both the reggae and soca scenes here in the T-Dot, it was terrific to see many faces from the Soca world including The Kingdom of Soca come to support.

Highlights:

• Excellent choice of venue.  Was a true “dance hall” with the DJ’s set up on stage as a true focal point.
• VIP booths and bottle service for those who wanted
• No “bad mind” in di place.  One love for one music.

Lowlights:

• My “commute” to the event was 1hr 15mins.  (Thank goodness I love me some reggae music!)
• Reggae crowds are late crowds (who am I kidding, West Indian crowds of any kind are late crowds), but due to city by-laws, event had to end promptly by 3 a.m.

Darling Nicky’s Final Thought:

This event may have included some “gully creeping”, but it was presented with all of the class and esteem fit only for a king (or three).  What makes this event stand out even more......was that it was produced entirely by a team of “queens”.  We may have witnessed history in the making, but the HERstory will never be forgotten.

Special thanks to ReeRee Productions, Ellementz Entertainment, and Two Brown Girlz.