Heineken Green Synergy elimination kicks off today

By Dave Lindo

Friday, July 10, 2009

The Heineken Green Synergy competition heats up today with the first elimination on FAME FM with DJ Zailant going up against Super O and Ras Lee doing battle with DJ Shines in the second contest.

Ras Lee (left) with his mentor Jack Scorpio.

The first match-up which gets on the way at 7:00 pm should be an interesting affair, with Zailant and Super O looking evenly poised.

Zailant, a first-time entrant from Portmore, St Catherine is oozing with confidence going into the match-up, "I am feeling good at this time, I am well prepared. I think I can do it (win), my friends and family are rooting for me and if I don't go through they are going to beat me," the Kingston College old boy said jokingly.

Super O of Super Clubs Hedonism 11 and a resident of Hanover, is equally confident. As to what people can expect from him, he said, "It's gonna be a drop-jaw set. Just some crazy scratching and cuts. I am not coming to just match beats or mix, because when I am playing I tell a story with my music." He added, "My friends and family are also backing me so I feel good about that."

The other match-up from all indication will be one not to be missed as last year's quarter- finalist DJ Shine from Spanish Town will be looking to turn back the challenge of the 'vibes man' Ras Lee from St Ann.

Last year DJ Shine did very well in the competition but was knocked out by DJ Cide in the quarter-finals.
He is looking to go all the way this time around. "I am prepared and ready for it. Everything is going just perfect right now. My mixing is on point. It's a much-improved DJ Shine this year."

Commenting on his rival Ras Lee, he said, "I don't know much about him. I know he entered last year and he must have improved to have gone through this year."

DJ Shine auditioned in Kingston and looked really impressive in his set. He is mentored in the competition by the big bad selector Ricky Trooper, many times World Clash champion.

Ras Lee has shown that he is a determined individual as after failing to make the cut at the Ocho Rios audition, he journeyed to the Portland audition the following day and put forward a much- improved set which got the nod from the judges.

His mentor is legendary sound system operator, producer Jack Scorpio who spoke highly of his charge.

"He came by me last night (Wednesday night) and worked out on my sound system. I think he has a wonderful chance," Jack Scorpio said. "He has his thing organised, he is a crowd pleaser. What I like about him is, being a hardcore dancehall man myself, he has that flair. He represents for our music being dancehall/ reggae more than the other entrants. He is doing well to carry across our culture."

Each DJ will play a 25-minute segment which should span across the different genres.

At this stage the judges will have a 66 per cent rate in deciding who advances to the quarter-final while the public voting will cover 34 per cent.

You can vote for your favourite DJs by texting or calling 444- MYDJ or 444-6935. Voting closes at 12 noon on Monday.