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Reggae Sumfest 2009 will long be remembered as a hit and miss. With glowing performances from the likes of a rejuvenated Bounty Killer, Beenie Man, Vybz Kartel and Tarrus Riley to the not so good performances of American acts Ne-Yo, Toni Braxton and also reggae dancehall co-leader Mavado of the Alliance.

Dancehall night has long been a night where artistes are made or broken. Similar to the annual Sting event, Reggae Sumfest Dancehall Night actually made a brilliant comeback. From the crowning of Beenie Man as “Dancehall King”, to the “Warlond” Bounty Killer’s sterling performance, Dancehall Night was definitely back and in full effect. Most artistes also paid tribute to the “King Of Pop”, Michael Jackson. In addition, the lack of expletives will also make 2009 go down in history as one of the cleanest, lyrically wise, in Sumfest’s history.

Most entertainers for the night came out ready to out-do each other. Bounty Killer, however, in most people’s eyes, stole the show. The Killer’s performance had many fans saying that “ Killer tek Dancehall Night”. Rodney Pryce, came on stage and immediately apologized after last year’s whipping by the Montego Bay fans. Recalling the treatment meted out to him last year when he collected a couple 'boos', a smiling Bounty noted, "Oonu give it to me last year", after which he totally redeemed himself with a performance that he dedicated to his mother, Miss Ivy. Well done, Miss Ivy last son.

Unfortunately, however, the baton that Bounty Killer handed to his ‘son’, Mavado, slipped and fell right out of the deejay’s hand. Mavado just could not keep up to the blistering pace set by his ‘dad’, Bounty Killer. Bounty Killer portrayed a greater level of maturity. Admitting that he goofed last year, saying: “Little boy things I did, I do them no more. I am a man.” He worked the stage to redeem himself and probably he could not have given a better performance. He took the show to another level.

Mavado, followed by Elephant Man, were at their best. Elephant called for Bounty to be officially recognised as one who has done so much for many entertainers. Bounty said he wants his share while he's alive. Vybz Kartel preceded Beenie Man with a sterling performance, but at 5:40 a.m., the ‘Doctor’ proved that he deserved to be crowned ‘King of the Dancehall’.

Beenie was crowned King on Dancehall Night and for him that was special. “The crowning and everything was great, but what made it so special to me was that it took place on the birthday of His Imperial Majesty, Haile Selassie,” stated Moses “ Beenie Man” Davis. Apart from Beenie Man, the choices for closing acts proved wrong - neither Jah Cure nor Inner Circle could hold the crowd on Friday and Saturday night respectively.

On the downside, there was the unfortunate sound problems that plagued Toni Braxton’s performance. Patrons just couldn't hear. Apparently Toni Braxton was using a lot of voiceovers. But that still doesn't really explain why the sound was so low. The incident with Etana, was also poor. Etana was handed a microphone that seemed to be dead, and when she attempted to borrow Toni's mic, Braxton possessively pulled her mic to her chest, after which poor Etana was ushered off stage. Tito Jackson, brother of Michael, was also a dismal failure.

Almost taking on the persona of an angel, Tarrus Riley contagiously transmitted the cure that quenched the thirst of the thousands of patrons on International Night II of Reggae Sumfest 2009 at Catherine Hall in Montego Bay. Riley, fast earning the reputation of  ‘Prince of Reggae’ and ‘JamRock’s’ Junior Gong Marley, in combination with the hip-hop street rapper Nas, earned supreme bragging rights. Riley’s set was in sync with a jam session. And when he went head on musically with Jamaica’s greatest saxophonist, Dean Fraser, their note for keys combination created an energy generating field in the bowels.

Sumfest has lasted 17 years and is still going strong and all indications are that the festival will be around for at least another 17.