Curtis Campbell, STAR Writer

In a rather comedic display, veteran politician Babsy Grange defeated fellow politician Kari Douglas in last week's high profile Magnum All-STAR Face-Off battle.

MC Nuffy, dressed in his referee attire, informed patrons in the early stages of the clash that it would be like no other and both ladies did not disappoint.

Dressed in war attire, Babsy started the juggling round with a disclaimer jingle making it clear that she does not condone violence. She also followed up with a Portia Simpson Miller jingle "Mi nuh fraid a nuh bwoy, nuh gyal nowhere," immediately winning the patron's attention.

She started the juggling with Sizzla's Solid As A Rock, followed by Junior Reid's One Blood and Greetings by Half Pint.

"A me a Shabba Ranks mumma, a me name Babsy, am a peaceful woman, but know this," and played Shabba Ranks Shine And Criss, followed by Tarrus Riley's Good Girl Gone Bad dubplate. She received roars of approval, exiting on a high note with Tommy Lee Sparta's Someboy dub-plate, followed by Shook by the Uncle Demon deejay, also on dub-plate.

Douglas, dressed for a funeral, kicked off her effort with jingle mimicking iconic former Prime Minister Edward Seaga and asking what was Babsy doing in the clash. She started on war note with Harry Toddler's dub-plate How Many Sound followed by Vybz Kartel's My Scheme and Black Ryno's Diss The Link.

She received strong responses for her selections and her sexy dance moves. However, her supporting DJ was not as clean as Babsy's and that seemed to be a major drawback in her set.

Nevertheless, songs like Box Lunch by Vybz Kartel and Jah A Guide Mi gave her strong crowd responses. During the round, however, her DJ played songs that were already played during Babsy's set, hence she was penalised. The judges gave the round to Babsy and bashed Kari's DJ. Babsy also won extra points for crowd response.

The 45 round saw Babsy throwing jabs at Kari's dance moves. She also switched her attire to show that she was going hunting. "Kari come up ya like a go-go thing. This is dancehall, a me Babsy buss Shabba, a me buss Cobra". she said and proceeded to play Mad Cobra's Press Trigger, which of course had patrons in a frenzy.

baby's stroller

"Mi a deal with a little girl, suh mi bring a pram and pampers," she shouted while bringing out a baby's stroller and a pack of diapers onstage. She then followed the gimmick with a damaging Vybz Kartel 45, in which Kartel sang Give dem some pampers cause mi know dem a baby". Patrons roared in approval.

Kari responded stating that it was time for young people to shine, hoping to win over the predominantly youth audience. The curvaceous politician also ditched her earlier funeral outfit and now wore an army design body suit. She started with Vybz Kartel's Sey Wey Yu Feel and received a decent response. "Mi nuh inna nuh play thing tonight," she bellowed and went for Mad Cobra's Teeth A Pull, the crowd rewarded her handsomely.

The round also went to Babsy, the judges again giving Karis' DJ a stern tongue lashing for his sloppy playing.

Babsy Grange was now firmly in the lead and yet again the veteran switched up her attire in the dub-for-dub round. "Mi wi clash yu and kill yu anywhere Portland, Kingston... but tonight yu a dead a Portmore," she said, starting with the classic Call The Hearse dub-plate by Bushman.

Kari, who did not change this time around, aimed to punch holes in Babsy's music industry resume. "Yu sey yu buss Shabba and Cobra and none a dem nuh dah yah tonight? Yu nuh see sey dem nuh rate yu," she said and played an old school Bounty Killer dub-plate.

Babsy responded with Demarco's Good Book receiving yet another roar of approval. Kari then brought out a nurse with hospital supplies for Babsy Grange stating that the veteran did not have the stamina to defeat her. She then played an Anger Management medley effort featuring Bling Dawg and Sizzla, for which she got a decent response.

Babsy responded with Tommy Lee Sparta's rock and roll single Mad Somebody and again the audience responded well. Kari then sent for her second prop, this time a wheelchair for Babsy. She then played Sizzla's Dry Cry dub-plate. However, Babsy said it was Kari who needed the wheelchair, she too pulled for a gimmick and carried out a mop, while telling the audience that she was going to get rid of the trash onstage.

Babsy concluded with a Queen Ifrica's dubplate, ending the clash on a high note. Babsy was announced as the overall winner. Both women showed good sportsmanship by hugging onstage.

The judges for the night were Ninja Man, ZJ Sparks, Richie B and Cool Face, who this week wore a professional judge's attire including a robe and a colonial wig.

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Anthony Minott photos