Agent Sasco Celebrates 25 Years In Dancehall

Agent Sasco marked 25 years in the music industry with the ‘Grateful’ concert at the UWI Mona Bowl in Kingston on Sunday. As Sasco explained it, the venue itself was synonymous with his journey as he grew up in the nearby community of Kintyre and attended the Hope Valley Experimental School where he had sports day on the very field where the concert was being held.

The concert was more than a celebration of longevity; it was a showcase of Sasco’s evolution as an artist, from his early days as Assassin, a schoolboy at the Camperdown High School trying to kickstart his career to his current status as one of dancehall’s most respected figures. With the stage set against the backdrop of the iconic UWI Mona campus, the atmosphere was electric as attendees eagerly awaited a night of unforgettable performances which not even heavy rain and mud could prevent.

Reggae artist Romain Virgo was the first guest to join Sasco on stage after he emerged shortly after 11 p.m., following a heavy downpour that caused the show to start late. The two artists performed several songs, including their smash hit Fade Away.

It was an emotional moment as Agent Sasco shared the stage with his youngest daughter, Lorraine, to perform their track If Caterpillars Can Fly. The heartfelt performance was followed by a solo rendition of Bridge Over Troubled Water by Lorraine, which she dedicated not only to her father’s 25 years in music but also to her late grandmother, in honor of what would have been her 77th birthday.

Spragga Benz, one of Sasco’s early mentors, delivered a high-energy set that reminded the audience of his lasting impact on the genre. Sasco had shared with the crowd that it was Spragga who introduced him to his first manager, highlighting the veteran deejay’s pivotal role in shaping his career. Spragga’s presence on stage served as a poignant reminder of the strong foundation he helped lay for Sasco during his formative years in the music industry.

“Yuh see the first time mi call him up over Polo club, some people did a gwaan like dem wah play stiff. Yuh know dem kinda people weh yuh affi prove yuh self? But see it yah, 25 years. Him never badmind nobody, him never hurt nobody, never do nuttn wrong,” Spragga Benz commented.

“And remember a me first tell unu innu… Prime Minister Campbell,” he continued as the two performed a slew of hits from each other’s prolific catalogue.

Sasco also shared the stage with Professor Nuts, whose unique blend of humor and storytelling had the crowd in stitches. As one of the artists who inspired Sasco’s own lyrical dexterity, Professor Nuts’s performance was a fitting inclusion in the lineup. The veteran artist’s dynamic set was a reminder of the creativity and wit that have long been hallmarks of dancehall music.

The energy reached a fever pitch when Bounty Killer, the “Warlord” of dancehall, stormed the stage. Bounty, known for his commanding presence and influence in the industry, delivered a fiery performance that included classics like Book and Nuh Fren Fish while directing his attention to some Tiktokers who he did not name. His collaboration with Sasco on stage was a highlight of the evening, as the two shared a heartfelt moment of mutual respect, symbolizing the passing of the torch from one generation of dancehall greatness to the next.

Agent Sasco’s own performances were the crown jewel of the night. Opening with Fade Away, he took the audience on a journey through his extensive catalog, from his breakout hits like Step Pon Dem to recent anthems such as Winning Right Now and Banks of the Hope. Each song was met with thunderous applause and singalongs from the crowd, underscoring his deep connection with his fans.

The night also featured guest appearances from several of Sasco’s contemporaries and collaborators, including Lila Iké, Protoje, Tanya Stephens, Kranium, Samory I, Ras I, and Chevaughn, among others. Each artist brought their unique flavor to the stage, adding layers of depth and nostalgia to the event.

As the night drew to a close, Agent Sasco performed Grateful, the song that perfectly encapsulated the theme of the event.