When promoter Horseman first held the dancehall show Full Black, he was surprised by the clothing most performers and members of the audience chose.

"I never asked anybody to wear black and the first night I was shocked. Mas Camp was a sea of black," he said. There was an outstanding exception, though. "Only Ninja Man was in white," Horseman said.

Then, Ninja Man was on a line-up that also included Bounty Killer, Elephant Man, Spice, Busy Signal, Chuck Fenda, Cherine Anderson and Hit Man Wallie.

impression

For this year's Full Black, slated for the New Mas Camp, National Stadium, Bounty Killer and Elephant Man will make repeat showings. Also on the line-up are Sizzla, Lady Saw, I-Octane, Macka Diamond, QQ and Jah Bouks.

Looking to make an impression are younger acts Gage, Patrick Badoo, Venjance and Kconeil. Boom Boom, Foota Hype, ZJs Chrome and Sparks, Fire Links, Flava Unit and Rockaway Movements will drop the beats, while Ron Muschette, GT Taylor and Shaka Fame are responsible for hosting duties.

Horseman knows the Full Black stage show is a rarity, especially in Kingston. It is a straight-out dancehall style affair, with the performances delivered to recorded tracks.

"Kingston has not had a dancehall show for a long time," Horseman said. This could mean either of two things - there is an unsatisfied demand for a show of this nature, or there is no interest at all. Horseman is, of course, counting on the former.

Part of the stage set-up for Sunday's Full Black is special audience seating on the stage - for a special price, of course. And with the National Stadium hit by motor vehicle thefts at two recent large-scale events, Horseman says he will be having security patrols inside the stadium grounds and also intends to have the outside monitored as well.

no profanity

Full Black starts at 8 p.m., and Horseman has established guidelines for the performers. Among them are no profanity and no discrimination against any group. And there should also be no word-throwing between individual performers. "I don't want to turn this show into a clash show," Horseman said.

He credits his success as a promoter to the experience as a photographer, covering events. "I was the first person there and the last person to leave. I saw where other promoters went wrong and capitalised on that," he said.

Part proceeds from Full Black are designated for the Windward Road All-Age School.

He does not have any plans to put on Full Black more often. "Once a year is cool. It gives you time to take a break and select. We want to keep it as a dancehall show that every year people look forward to," Horseman added.

-Melville Cooke