Protoje with back-up singer in tow.

Mahima Music For Life Benefit concert brought top-notch performances from some of the current bests in reggae music.

Staged on the lawns of the Jamaica Pegasus last Sunday night, the third staging of the concert saw the strong support of persons who came out to enjoy live music.

The Mahima concert is a charity event originally started to aid Monique 'Mahima' Geourzong, who passed away recently after a valiant fight with cancer. Now, the proceeds are in aid of the Hope Institute, which provides treatment and care for terminal cancer patients in Jamaica.

Starting shortly after 8 p.m., the likes of Marcus I, Fahrenheit, Blu Grass in the Sky, and Jah 9 all gave nice warm-up performances before making way for acts like Chino.The audience got to see the young dancehall act in a more mellow light as he breezed through songs like Pon Yuh Head, Ruff It Up, Bring It Come, Before You Gone, and From Mawning. The deejay showed off his versatility with a more live-music-based set as he 'bigged up' his youngest sister Zoisa McGregor on backup vocals. Chino made way for Cherine Anderson, who gave a mix of music sampling Lauryn Hill, Rihanna, and then going into her own music with Make-Up Sex. The singer had persons cheering with a remix of her Rebel, minus artiste DI with whom she collaborated on the the track, teased with Coming Over Tonight, and closed with Eagles and Doves.

Tarrus Riley was a show stealer as he got persons to their feet singing and dancing. The singer was in top form entering with Lion Paw before singing love songs like Contagious, She's Royal, Stay With You. He jumped off stage and sang to a few lucky females before getting lively with Good Girl Gone Bad. Backed by his Blak Soil Band, Riley gave a professional set worthy of an international stage. Chalice followed with a quick but enlightening set before making way for Protoje and the Indiggnation Band.

The singjay was in an energetic mood as he moved cross the stage and sang Roll to a female at the front of the stage, moving into Arguments. The youngster paid his respects to his elders sampling Too Experienced from Bob Andy. After performing his most recent single, No Lipstick, he channelled Buju Banton during his own hit Rasta Love with lines from Champion that stirred the crowd to a lively response. The singjay ended with sampling the national anthem on guitar before going into JA.

Before Rootz Underground closed a night of strong performances, Jah Cure showed off his vocal skills with a slower pace of songs. Cure was also in good shape vocally as he started off with a spiritual set of songs before singing Reflections, I'll Never Find, Unconditional Love, ending with Before I Leave.

Left: Farenheit did a favourable set. Right: A patron enjoys the performances.

Left: Cherine Anderson. Right: Chino in his element - Winston Sill Photos

Left: Tarrus Riley thrilling the crowd. Right: Jah Cure perfoms one of his slower numbers.