Story by: Don McDowell

Deitrick Haddon live at AIM First Fest 

The AIM Financial Corporation sponsored AIM First Fest held at the Ranny Williams Entertainment Centre on January 2, 2017 is being hailed as a resounding success for its
organization, presentation, and coordination, with many feeling it was worth it.

AIM First Fest showcased a star segment of tier one Jamaican gospel artistes Prodigal Son,
Rondell Positive, DJ Nicholas, and Kevin Downswell alongside Preachers of LA’s Deitrick Haddon, pastor, lyricist, and singer.

Patrons experienced the effulgent Rondell Positive in full flight in tandem with the ever effervescent iWorshipp doing background vocals as he delivered More Than A Conqueror, Stick Nor Stones, Fire Medley, and closing with the high energy Keeping Me Alive.

The welcoming applause to Prodigal Son’s return to the local stage after a dearth was phenomenal. Prodigal’s entre Blessings a Run Mi Down set the crowd on fire as they sang and danced.

Prodigal Son blessed the AIM First Fest crowd with Bongo Town, Head Cyaa Hot Suh, I Wish, and God Again. In closing his set, in true prodigal fashion, Prodigal Son asked forgiveness for any hurt or pain caused previously to his fans, arising from previous controversies.

The Mr. “Turn up the Volume” DJ Nicholas musically taught his audience on Divine Mathematics, exercises at the Holy Ghost Gym, biology class on blood constituents, and also on exorcism to Move That Squatter (Satan).

After a seemingly disconnected start singing on tracks, Grammy nominee Dietrick Haddon ‘upped his game’ by calling on his Jamaican audience for 60 seconds of praise, as he moved to his 2008 hit He’s Able“. Yes “him tun up d place” creating an atmosphere of worship as the crowd sang and praised the Most High God Yahweh.

Pastor Haddon after sharing a short testimony of backsliding some time ago moved the people to repentance and rejoicing, as he, with the help of Downswell’s band segued into Well Done, Its On The Way featuring DJ Nicholas, and Love Him Like I Do. Some patrons generally felt Haddon redeemed himself and represented well eventually.

Closing the curtain, Kevin Downswell’s, brilliant performance in praise and worship stimulated fans to another level of praise as he belted out You Make Me Stronger, Goodbye World, Already Done, and was accompanied by Prodigal Son in a high energy rendering of That’s Enough and Cyaa Cold with each ministering to different sides of the audience.

The Aim First Fest package also featured Party King rides, games, giveaways, food, and a shopping village, plus professional security and police patrols.

Other artistes performing included George Nooks, Perpetual Sounds of Praise, Rev. Glen Graham among others. Mc’s were Nadine Blair, Basillia Barnaby-Cuffe, and the show’s
promoter Markland Edwards.

With its veritable list of corporate supporters including title sponsors AIM Financial Corporation, the RJR Communications Group, Grace Kennedy Money Services, and others, it may be that Action Entertainment – promoters of the event has broken through to significant corporate sponsorship of gospel events.