When Magnum Follow Di Arrow began at Mango Valley, St Mary in 1999, promoter Dexter Ennis had no idea it would one day become one of the most anticipated events in eastern Jamaica. The show emerged out of a need to provide top-class entertainment to the north eastern section of Jamaica, but has now grown to the level where it even attracts a large overseas contingent yearly. Magnum Follow Di Arrow, which borrowed its name from a song of a similar title by Bounty Killer, has for many years been able to attract the best of what Jamaica's entertainment industry of the past and present has to offer.

Rev Al Miller (left), gospel artiste Stitchie (centre) and promoter of Follow Di Arrow Dexton Ennis enjoy a light moment at the launch which was held on Thursday at World Tron. (Photo: Jermaine Barnaby)

It was in 2004 Magnum Tonic Wine saw the opportunity to collaborate with Dexton Ennis and fulfil the brand's vision of bringing authentic gra**-roots entertainment to a national audience. Previously held at Mango Valley, the partnership with Magnum enabled Follow Di Arrow to grow to the level where it has to be moved to a bigger and better location at James Bond Beach in 2006.

One of the aims of Magnum Tonic Wine is to develop authentic Jamaican culture and Magnum Follow Di Arrow is one such effort.

"Magnum wants to contribute to the development of the entertainment industry in St Mary and to that end we maintain our commitment to Magnum Follow Di Arrow," stated brand manager Gary Dixon .

Magnum Follow Di Arrow for this year will feature performances from a slew of proven veterans and current stars. This year's show will be held at James Bond Beach in St Mary on Saturday February 28 and boasts a stellar line-up.

Headlining the event will be the clashes between Ninjaman and Merciless; and Monster Hemphigher and Kiprich. The promoters explain that this will be "clash on a different level . a purely lyrical clash . not like what took place at Sting."

Others top acts on the line-up are Bounty Killer, Elephant Man, Mavado, Bling Dawg, Macka Diamond, Assassin, Anthony B, Lt Stitchie and over 30 others. Backing bands will be the Ruff Kut and Kaution while emcees will be Ron Muchette, Sunshine, Ragashanti and Sample Man.

According to promoter, Dexton Ennis, "We are making every effort to ensure that this year's staging is the very best we have ever had. We have fine tuned the production, reworked the venue and put together some of the best entertainers that Jamaicans love. Being the first major dancehall event for the year we have to set the trend."