Skarra Mucci - Sala Nazca, Madrid.

Skarra Mucci - 'The Dancehall President'.

Skarra Mucci - Sala Nazca, Madrid

Things usually start late in Spain. They tend to take a while to warm up and with the usual dinner time somewhere around half nine or ten o’clock the nightlife doesn’t get going until midnight or one. Not tonight.

I don't think I've ever walked into a venue at 21h to the amount of energy being thrown out by the support/co-act for any genre, let alone a genre that can struggle to draw crowds in the biggest of European capitals. 

Sala Nazca was well and truly fired up for Sr. Wilson. His energy, flow and stage presence had even the coldest, most sober audience members buzzing. Whether you liked it or not, Sr. Wilson was taking you with him on a trip through the world of Spanish rap, hip-hop, ragga and reggaeton. It's been a while since I've seen that level of showmanship, energy and skill from someone billed as a support act. With Griffi on decks jumping from classic 90s hip-hop beats to more modern reggaeton tunes and dropping in the odd afrobeat hit it along the way, Sr. Wilson’s set was one of those that had something for everyone. When he felt the energy dip even just a little, Wilson instinctively went overdrive mode, calling on the crowd to sing along, to dance and follow him to the left, to the right or dropping a sixteen or an acapella that got people going again. You’d have been be forgiven for thinking that the main act was on. Drinks flowing, lighters sparking up all over the place and most of the crowd dancing uncontrollably and all that well before dinner time.  

Ten o’clock and the scene was set for 'The Dancehall President' to bring his 'Perfect Timing' album release tour to Madrid. Skarra Mucci is a name that's familiar to most on the dancehall scene. Features with some of the biggest names in reggae history such as Johnny Osbourne and newer, European digital reggae artists like Manudigital make him one of those guys you’ve probably come across whether you're aware of it or not.

It would be unfair, though, to think that collaborations are where his fame stems from. Skarra Mucci is an artist in his own right, a dancehall dj who's built an independent career over decades due to his hard work, consistency and his stage show. If he features with big names, it's because he's built the foundations on which to do so, he knows his craft and which tunes, remixes or choruses to go for and, to be honest, because many within the scene are more than honoured to feature on his records. In France alone, he's worked with Dub Inc, Manudigital,Yaniss Odua. Turn it up a notch and you can name Horace Andy, Johnny Osbourne, Beenie Man, Teacha Dee and Chezidek amongst many more. He's collabed with the hottest reggae and dancehall artists going. We're talking about a seasoned veteran of the scene, one who may not just be getting started, but is definitely far from slowing down. Perfect Timing is evidence of that and whatever you think about it on record, just wait until you hear it live.

As the lights came up, it was ‘My Sound’ that blared out. ‘My sound a di champion inna di dance’. It’s a bold statement and one which, on this occasion, was true and well backed up by the song selection and live show. A DJ and a vocalist. Nothing fancy and it worked. The sound was great. Deep basses, warm mids and crisp highs and a clean separation that made hearing the whole and understanding the vocal easy. The tunes themselves ranked up a level with the Skarra Mucci on stage and the crowd really responded to his set.

Madrid's Lasai dropped by for a few features with Sr. Wilson and later with Skarra Mucci. As Skarra mentioned, their stories go way back and it was great to see the show of unity called on by his DJ and right hand man, DJ Inity; 'You know, reggae and dancehall are all about love and unity.This wouldn't be a reggae/dancehall show if we didn't show unity, if we didn't do what we talk about. So, Lasai & Sr. Wilson, the new generation with the Dancehall President, Skarra Mucci.' As a DJ, he was on point throughout, backing the set well, timing the odd pull up and mixing seamlessly.

Skarra brought some serious fire and blew the crowd away. You got the distinct impression that Madrid had been hungry to see him after a seven year wait and it showed at the merch stand after the show where vinyls and CDs flew off the table and Skarra Mucci was kept busy signing and taking photos with fans.  The only pity was that the venue were so strict on their times, kicking out the independent acts for the usual money-making club night. The set was short, but it was sweet and left the crowd wanting more, which isn't always a bad thing. Go and catch this veteran of the scene live when you can. The Dancehall President gets my vote.