"It's on!" is how new concert promoter Dennis (Mertz) Richardson describes Saturday night's "Hip Hop Explosion in Paradise" concert at St. David's Cricket Club field - the first by major rappers in four years.

"It's definitely on," Mr. Richardson says of his first big concert. "What I'm trying to do is bring to Bermuda quality entertainment and I want to not only cater to the youth but to the mature crowds too. Headlining the show will be Redman and Method Man, two rappers that are at the top of the heap, so to speak, of the rap game. That's what I want to do - put on stage in Bermuda artists that are at the top of their game. The ones you hear on the radio."

Mr. Richardson promises an evening chock-a-block with entertainment, starting with a fashion show debuting a new hip hop clothing line, Vanpire Attire for which his stores Source and Source Two in the Washington Mall will be distributed in Bermuda.

Also featured on the show will be singer Charli Baltimore, "natural six octave" singer Desean Superstar, rappers Shorty Black, Jane Blaze and it will be hosted by BET Live host and former NBA professional basketball player John Salley.

US cable network MTV will also be taping the show which starts at 8 p.m. The doors will open at 7.30 p.m.

"We're talking about 29 entertainers that are coming for the show,'' Mr. Richardson said. "This is not just 'rap' but a performance. A total stage production, not just one artist at a time with three songs and disappear and half hour break before the next performer. You are going to be bombarded with quality performances.

"AND Red and Meth will be coming on stage together, for no less than an hour and a half," he explained. "I'm not joking when I say everyone must be on time. If you're late, you're going to miss a lot. When I say to those two 'Yo! Red, Meth, let's do this', there will not be a delay. I don't like to see concerts go slowly so mine won't. I want people to leave saying 'that was worth my money' rather than 'I paid all that money for that (performance)?'."

"I have no doubt that this will be the biggest and most talk- about concert that Bermuda has seen," Mr. Richardson added. "But more importantly, we're not finished. Watch out for Christmas and Jay Z and the Rock-a-fella family. Watch out for New Years and R Kelly, Ron Isley and Kelly Price.

Continued on Page 35