Weddy Weddy makes history in New York First overseas staging deemed a success

Wednesday, July 1, was a proud day for Weddy Weddy architect, Winston ‘Wee Pow’ Powell.

Not only did it mark the first time in its 23-year history that the popular weekly event was having an overseas staging, that event was the brainchild of his daughter, Chanelle ‘Chan Pow’ Powell.

“Weddy Weddy get passport, visa, work permit … everything … and tek a fly out,” an animated Wee Pow, told THE STAR.

The veteran sound man and founder of Stone Love, the official Weddy sound, hosts the event at Stone Love’s Burlington Avenue HQ in St Andrew every Wednesday, and each July, there’s a huge celebration for the event’s anniversary.

This year, the kick-off celebration for the Weddy’s 23rd anniversary was held at a venue called Compound, in Queens, New York, and Wee Pow was quick to add that the Jamaica celebration takes place on Wednesday, July 22.

“It got a remarkable turnout. It was the first mid-week event to sell off in that part of the USA. My daughter, Chan Pow was the promoter. She has taken up the baton for Stone Love in America and she is doing very well,” a proud Wee Pow said. “She’s a road runner like her father.”

Giving the entire team their flowers, he added, “Music was provided by Next Level sound system with selectors Foota Hype, Boom Boom,and Harry Hype, and Stone Love with Randy Rich. It was really an excellent, event.”

One fan said in a social media post, “From classic anthems to the hottest hits, this is another unforgettable night of music, culture, and high-energy entertainment.”

Chan Pow told THE STAR that the overseas edition of Weddy Weddy “was a long time idea waiting to happen”.

“With the assistance of my sister Vanessa, my brother Duane, aka Duane Pow, and one of my cousins, the New York Stone Love Family and the New York Weddy Weddy fans made the dream came true,” she explained.

The promoter recalled that when she first approached her father with the idea, he was not absolutely sure about the outcome. However, after putting the word out on the streets of New York, they started to get some good feedback from the fans.

Her father still had a word of caution. “Some people will reach out and still won’t show up,” Wee Pow advised his children.

“But, overall he was very supportive of the new wave that we are bringing to dancehall,” said Chan Pow, who has only attended Weddy Weddy two or three times in her entire life.

“Dad was very big on education with us as kids. So partying was out the question. Now that I’m grown and have my own team in place, I wanted to make history on my own as well and bring Weddy Weddy to the States,” she said.

She admitted that she did not expect the turn to be so big. “But I thank God for the fans who follow and support the Weddy Weddy movement and made it possible.”

Although she hosts her birthday party annually, Chan Pow said she wouldn’t describe herself as an event planner, but rather, it’s something that comes naturally. She also emphasised the importance of the Stone Love legacy.

“Dancehall runs in my veins… in 2018 I had my first party and from there I knew this was something I will definitely be interested in. Year in and year out I kept my annual birthday party and it became more and more successful each year. This legacy is important to me because it’s more than just a legacy, it’s family, it’s where history is being created,” she said.

With the success of Weddy’s first “fly out”, she and her team have big plans.

“It showed us that the culture is alive and well beyond Jamaica. As long as the fans continue to support the movement, I would love to make Weddy Weddy overseas an annual event and continue bringing authentic Jamaican dancehall culture to audiences around the world,” Chan Pow told THE STAR.