Grand Master Flash (centre) hangs with Heineken Green Synergy 6 Pack, (L-R) DJ Jerry, DJ Narity, DJ Don Hype, DJ Banka, DJ Naz, and Ricky Eminence. - Contributed

The finalists of this year's Heineken Green Synergy (HGS) eliminations got a chance to show off their skills on Friday night as they prepare for the finals on October 29.

Torrential rainfall triggered by an area of low pressure east of the island that flooded sections of Spanish Town Road, threatened the event that was held at the Red Stripe compound. Still, hundreds of people from nearby communities swarmed to the party to witness the likes of DJ Eminence, DJ Naz, DJ Jerry, 47 and Banke, display their considerable skills playing the latest tunes.

In stark contrast to the cool night air, the heat inside the Vibes Sports Bar was stifling as hundreds of patrons danced and 'daggered', Heineken bottles dangling from their fingers like emerald-green accessories. The steady thump of the bass from the speakers pushed the energy even higher and rivulets of sweat snaked from the twisting bodies, staining garments as they made their way to the mud-stained floor. It was the perfect setting for the disc jockeys.

"The vibe is good," said Keri-Ann McKenzie brand manager at Heineken, explaining that this was an opportunity for the DJs to take turns at playing for the audience, making a case as to who was the best. DJ Narity, the last of the competitors eliminated from the competition also played on Friday night and even though he was eliminated he felt the HGS had been good to him.

"It does give a lot of exposure to the deejays. It tests their skills, music knowledge, different elementary skills; things that you need to know to relate to a crowd. I was happy to have been a part of it, it was really fun," he said. The finals will be a grand affair on October 29 at the National Indoor Sports Complex where the finalists will be competing for a million dollars in cash prizes and an internship at FAME FM.

speacial appearances

In addition to the contestants, there will be appearances by Dj Enuf, Grandmaster Flash and Qbert, often referred to as the Jimi Hendrix of the turntables, He invented the first musical annotation system for scratching, battling and composing on vinyl.

Among the finalists will be DJ Naz, who was also a finalist last year and is the only female DJ in the competition.Her good showing last year, she said, led to greater levels of recognition and opportunities for growth. "Right now, a dem alone. When me did bad from long time nobody never business wid me. Everywhere I go now people know me."

She has had a greater number of requests for bookings but even more importantly, she has seen her skills improve. Ricky Eminence is another contestant, who is back from last year and is among the favourites to take the title this year. His front-runner status, he says, could be attributed to the work that he put in since his elimination last year. "I started training from I was eliminated last year," he said. "This year is about what kind of skills you have as opposed to you being better than the other DJs."

Keri-Ann McKenzie, Heineken's brand manager.