Bashment Review: Super Dee and Ricky Hype's "Year to Year All White Affair"

The summer season kicked off in full party mode as Super Dee and Ricky Hype presented the 3rd “Year to Year All White Affair” on Sunday, May 25th at the Club Center. In a change of venue from 4U2B Lounge to the city’s newest bashment home, The Club Center, the crowd and the vibes were off to a slow simmer but in true dancehall fashion reached its full potential and lasted until the early AM. But, with no work or school the next day, there was not a care in sight as the dance carried past 6 in the morning.

As Chat ‘Bout reached the dance at about 2am, the sounds of Star Temple’s Ricky Hype could be heard well beyond the parking lot. After a more thorough than usual security check (looking for pepper spray, no less), we proceeded towards the tunes and were welcomed with the partygoers looking pure in various white ensembles. We always look forward to the All White Affair as the masses support this themed bash more than any other. (Although there were a few in the crowd who wanted to make an ‘opposite’ statement - don’t think we didn’t see you…)

Ricky Hype kept the early party crowd going with the old school segment followed by a few culture tunes. The crowd obliged the selections as many swayed to the rhythms but yearned for the sounds rise to the next level.

Soon, DJ Lava Ranks took over the sounds as he stepped up the vibes with a few old school hip hop tunes like Nas’ “You Can Hate Me Now” and “Whoa” by Lil’ Kim…

As Jamie from Young Hawk took over the sounds at about 3am, he got the ladies all warm and fuzzy with tunes like “Beautiful” by James Blount and a few “friendly” tunes like Whitney Houston’s “Count on Me” and Gladys Knight’s “That’s What Friends Are For”. It was a great to see all the gals in the dance holding their friends hands, and hugging as they walked out on the dance floor.

The dance soon reached a higher level as the vibes picked up as Synemaxx (standing on the table, no less) started off with Bob Marley’s “Natural Mystic” and Dennis Brown’s “Revolution” followed by a few tunes for the fellas including, “Can’t Keep a Good Man Down”. By this time, one could see more than a few lighters up and the fellas marching out on the dance floor.

After a slow simmer, the dance was in full madness mode as Synemaxx kept a great selection of new tunes along with dancehall favorites from Mr. Vegas, Mavado, Erupt and Bugle. I don’t know about you all, but we always look forward to the sounds from other places bringing new music styles to Cleveland by keeping the masses current with the new dances, artists, etc.

Big up to the little miss representing on the dance floor as she held it down up against the 3 special guest dancers along for the event. One can never know what to expect in the limelight as these young misses found out with the arrival of an unexpected dance partner that taught them a few new ‘moves’ in the process…. Trust me if you missed it, I can’t EVEN begin to explain it to you but all I can say is – W O W!

As expected, the All White Affair always brings out the dancehall celebrities from the past and present. It was great to see the Wanda and Tracey of the Diamond Girls in the house. Also in the building, keeping it low key, KC Platinum AKA Mr. Personality, Maggie Untouchable (after her sell off Army Fatigue Bash at Dailey’s the night before), The Barbie Doll/Bashment Crew -looking flawless as usual, Caribbean Flavor owner Lurliene (rocking a white-hot pantsuit), Leisa Engel and DJ Chubbie from 88.7 alongside fly-as-usual-sis Suzette. Also in the crowd were Ms. Punkin, DJ Lava Ranks’ better half, DJ Jellie (promoting “The Lollipop Affair” coming NEXT Saturday, May 31st), Brignite and his lovely wife (sporting a new ‘do) and Hot boys Blacka, Dylan and Mikey from Flava Unit.

Big up to Ricky Hype and Super Dee (looking great in his all white suit complete with white ball cap) for a night full of surprises (and prizes) and keeping the vibes in Cleveland with a great Memorial Day dance. No doubt we are definitely looking forward to another sell off event for your Annual Birthnite Bash, “The Blue and White Affair” in October.

In the meantime, as you get a chance to rest up from the weekend, here are a few pics… (Note: Due to a few technical issues, there are a few pics that didn’t make it to the site. Trust and believe we will make it up to you with the next big bash!)

Resting at home, but still-

Bashy