So, Ten years ago The Afro-Boat Party started cruising with its beautiful party people. Some brown, some black, some white some blue, some pink, some green.
By the way of courtesy, respect should go to The PM and Vee as organisers and of course the likes of Kobby Scratch and Papa Ruudy for the promotion of this motion that has gradually turned itself as a culture of a party to behold.
Kicking ten years of celebrations into touch with reality on 25th of August Sunday Bank-Holiday weekender, The Afro-Boat Party 2024 shook its revellers to dance and rejoice in a moment of blissful happiness.
Catching up with The PM some days before the event’s celebrations, he emphasised that: “This year, I am incorporating an instrumentalist into the mix of things. I have a keyboardist and a Djembe drummer to play alongside my set.
“I have one of the finest decorators in London to spice up the look of the boat. In addition to my team of extremely talented, skilled and experienced DJs, I have enrolled the services of one of London’s DJ Legends, in the person of DJ Milk Tray who will dig into his eclectic selection of Soca to bring the carnival vibe, some Funky House and Hip-Hop for nostalgia.
“There will be a slightly different menu when it comes to food this year. So on top of the grill selection, we have thrown in Shawarma as well.”
Juxtaposing ‘The PM’s narrative to the reality on the ground, the proverbial talk of the party was a resounding backdrop of beats, rhythms and sounds popping from every angle of the boat.
The Upper Deck section of the boat still remains a stronghold of M.C.DJ Clarke Pentoa. His selections are akin to a certain vibe from a Riviera. Playing songs that reminded some patrons of where they come from, and of course in between takes, he dabbled in some unknown ones, just to refresh the dancing moods of others.
DJ Danny Kujo also featured on a set via the Upper-Deck sessions, where he threw in some R&B, old classics of Hip-Life and all.
Downstairs, offered a vast amount of varieties, given the plethora of DJs that the line-up promised.
Spinning on rotational basis, the likes of The PM Sexy Rexy, and DJ Invisible did their tricks of the trade.
Milk-Tray, who is new to the party, brought his style and skill to the glare and delight of the ravers. And, set by set with music, the DJs flowed like a river and played like toddlers having fun in their puddles.
So, ten years of gents, ten years of ladies, ten years of fashion, and ten years of food, ten years of joy, ten years of music, ten years of friendships, ten years of cars, ten years of buses, ten years of fun are all equal to a fantastic Afro-Boat Party 2024.
All the picturesque shots were vividly filmed by Click-shot-Pictures and photos by A-Klass respectively.
By Wilfred Clarke.