The Best of the Best concert went down on Sunday May 24 in not so sunny Miami, Florida. Your girl Red Carpet Shelley eagerly prepared for the trip to Miami and landed on Saturday night. On Sunday, I got to the show bright and early and got ready to enjoy one of the biggest reggae shows. Upon arrival, I secured my spot in the press tent (only to be kicked out later on when it got overcrowded. It's all good - you know I got back in there. Can't keep a good gal down!!) As expected, the show lived up to its title and brought the best of the best to Miami for a one night stand. The stage was set and smell of Caribbean food wafted through the air as the massive throng of music enthusiasts enjoyed the best musicians in dancehall, reggae, soca, and hip hop (the smell of something else was also wafting through the air!!)
The performances were not as long as theaudience would have preferred but given the amount of performers, rain showers and the time allotted, it was a great 
show overall. Some of my favorite performances included T-Pain, DJ Khaled and Rick Ross (pictured here without his 40 plus deep entourage. Rick, who in the heck were all those people?). The hip hop trio got the audience hype and didn't disappoint especially when Jeezy jumped in too. Young Jeezy put on for his city (A-Town stay down!). Did I mention that Diddy and Flo -Rida made surprise appearances? It was bananas!
Young Jeezy
The Trini massive was not going to be left out and were well represented by Destra who followed the hip hop artists. The dancehall reggae artists were not to be outdone either. 
Spice decided to get down and dirty by jumping into the audience and pulling an unsuspecting audience member on stage for a night to remember! Tony Matterhorn certainly gave the girls a good show too - nothing like a good dutty whine on a Sunday afternoon (forgive me Father...). The ladies loved him and I, too, was smitten! Beenie Man came out dressed a like a Pirate of the Caribbean (or was that Elephant Man? I think they had the same stylist this year). Beenie gave the audience a proper fix and taught Sex 101 (I took some notes from both Beenie and Spice!). Beenie was miffed at the short time allotted for his performance and let it be known that he was not leaving the stage until he was good and ready. Gwan Beenie! He also let The Alliance (Bounty Killa, Mavado, Serani, Kiprich, etc.) know that he didn't feel threatened by them. I, on the other hand, accidentally bumped into the Gully God aka Mavado backstage and definitely felt some trepidation. I kindly apologized and Red Carpet Shelley kept it moving! I don't think he even noticed that I had bumped him as he went on to converse with Tony Matterhorn. Part of me did want to let him know that he is my main ringer on my phone - I love you Mavado - still waiting on a piece of your cassava! Following Beenie was the Energy God, Elephant Man. He delivered his expected high energy performance after scolding Beenie for not abiding by the time restrictions.
Mavado
Beenie Man
The Alliance did not disappoint either. The Alliance, comprised of Mavado, Bounty Killa, Serani, Kiprich, etc. closed out the show but were short on time. The audience definitely wanted more from the Gully Side but seemed contented with what was given. Bounty introduced his singer son Majah and the girls swooned over his sultry R&B sound. Overall, a great time and I look forward to next year's show.
The Alliance - Mavado, Bounty Killa & Kiprich
Energy God - Elephant Man
Capleton below burning down Babylon amongst other things.....
Capleton and Rick Ross have a bless up moment
Flippa Mafia
Spice - Scorn Dem!
Spice Tony Matterhorn
Popeye (dancer)
Chris Martin
Posted by: Red Carpet Shelley
on May 26, 2009
