Fourth annual music fest - 2

Rapper flo rida headlines fourth annual music fest
By Dustin Perry
Torii Staff
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A hulking man in sunglasses bolted onto the stage behind Yano Fitness Center Sunday night, and for the first time that entire day, the crowd’s deafening screams drowned out the music.
After a full evening’s worth of performances, the anticipation for Flo Rida – chart-topping rapper and the headlining act of Camp Zama’s fourth annual two-day Music Fest – had reached a fever pitch among the more than 4,000 fans in attendance.

Following a warm-up set from labelmate Lil’ Brianna, Flo (née Tramar Dillard) took control of the stage and maintained it for the entirety of his 90-minute performance. Whether he was throwing them autographed towels, reciting to them his personal cell phone number, or dangling a huge gold chain just above their outstretched hands, Flo kept the crowd in a constant frenzy.

“I’ve been [to Japan], like, five times, and every time I come there’s always great hospitality,” said Flo before his performance. “The fact that I’m doing this for the Army, I’m definitely appreciative. I look forward to going back home and letting people know how such a great time I had.”

Flo’s performance at Music Fest was the culmination of a lineup that included eight other local and international acts covering a broad variety of genres such as rock, reggae, jazz, R&B and Top-40 pop music. The first day of performances featured Cesco and Boyz, Michael Fogerty and Nu Infiniti, the Island Boyz, and the Hit Band featuring Steve Beckham.

Appearing Sunday were two acts – Seattle-based rock quartet the Real You, and Hawaiian songstress Anuhea – who initially garnered local support before gaining widespread fame. Performing in Japan for a military audience was fun and exciting for him and his band, said the Real You’s lead singer Ryan Striker.

“It’s just a different experience for us than our normal club shows [and] the normal crowds that we play to,” said Striker. “It’s really cool to kind of get ourselves out of our normal element and play for the troops. Also, it’s cool to just be able to give them some entertainment; hopefully they enjoy our type of music.”

Local performers included the U.S. Army Japan Rock Band and Synergy, a smooth-jazz group that counts a Camp Zama civilian – the 78th Aviation Battalion’s Jerome Hicks – as its bassist. Hicks has been playing with Synergy for three years and said his experience during Music Fest this year was “off the charts.”

“I love music so much, and when you get out here, play in front of people, and show them what you’ve got, and they love it – it makes me feel exceptionally well,” said Hicks. “I think the crowd was into it, more so than I’ve seen on some occasions in the past.”

Flo, who performed his hit songs “Low,” “Elevator,” “In the Ayer” and the Dead or Alive-sampling “Right Round,” described the crowd at Zama as “very receptive.” Flo said he loves going out on stage, and it was his intent during the show to “always give it 200 percent.”

“I look at [performing] as a benefit, as well as the fact that I feel like I’m giving back,” said Flo. “[Servicemembers] are definitely always standing strong for us out on the field. I look forward to coming back time and time again.”

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