The rhythmic bass of techno and house music blasted through the speakers at the Copacabana Beach Club shortly after 10 p.m. on Tuesday night.
HYPD partygoers at the front of the stage formed a mosh pit, waving rags and flags as they danced.
“Pump your fists. This is an everything party,” said international DJ and event host DJ Puffy as he faced the crowd.
And that it was. For almost an hour, he displayed seemingly boundless energy as he played multiple roles as emcee, flag person and content creator, going live on Instagram to ensure his followers and fans across the world were able to experience the vibes.
Raw talent
Speaking to The Weekend Nation after his first set, the 2016 Red Bull Thre3style World Champion said: “HYPD is about raw talent and the support and community of young people.”
His commitment to providing that support was evident as he congratulated the recent Combermere School graduates who congregated at the front of the stage.
“This year was really special,” said the Waterford school alumnus. “I was one of the guest speakers at their graduation . . . . At the end of the speech, my gift to them for graduating was . . . that they got into this fete for free.”
Safe space
His vision for HYPD, which stands for Helping Young People Dream, is to “create a safe space for young people, locals and tourists to come and experience music here in Barbados in a very unique way”.
That space, he said, is built for both partygoers and artistes.
“We give our talent the stage to play everything and express themselves one hundred per cent, not only in soca . . . but in all genres. And we give people a true international experience and show [them] that Barbados is a multicultural, multifaceted place.”
The DJs understood – and deftly executed – that assignment. Throughout the night, music lovers of all genres got their fill as the spinmasters rotated seamlessly from set to set. The event began with a session from Blaqrose Supreme, who got the audience in the mood with a mixture of hip hop and Afrobeats.
Hutchy and Sizz brought the dancehall energy, playing classic and new hits that had the crowd singing at the top of their lungs.
Jus Jay King and DJ Paulie rocked the space with a soca-focused session that included Jus Jay’s popular hits Bye x2, Brain Freeze, and When Last. Puffy mixed the final set, much to the audience’s delight, taking attendees from rap to Afrobeats took up the emcee told the crowd it right before pressing Carey’s All I Want
turning the moment karaoke session.
“I want to export Puffy said of HYPD eight years. “I [attendees through crowd favourites Afrobeats to soca as Blaqrose emcee hat. At one point, Puffy it was “ Christmas in July” pressing play on Mariah Want For Christmas Is You,
moment into an impromptu session. export Barbados to the world,” HYPD as he reflected on the past [want] it to be everything that Barbados is . . . . I [want] people to experience a real taste of Barbados . . . . I want to continue to create a great space that [pushes] the boundaries of what entertainment is here in Barbados and appeal to [this] generation and generations to come.”
Based on the response from HYPD partygoers, it’s safe to say, mission accomplished. (TJ)
HYPD event at Copacabana. (Picture by Shanice King)
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