From the always-reliable Urban Dictionary:

Bashment (n) : A West Indian party where reggae music is played excessively.

Though “excessively” should probably read “in abundance” or “liberally” or anything else really, a bashment is essentially a party that heavily features reggae, dancehall, some hip-hop, and copious earthquake-inducing booty-stuff. Every reggae star is a part of the bashment scene in and around Jamaica, and consequently, they all have something to say about it.

We asked some of Jamaica’s (and Brooklyn, in the case of Dre Skull) hottest reggae stars: What’s makes a good bashment? Like most parties, a good DJ appears to be everything. Answers below.

Buju Banton

-Outdoor location

-Booming (homemade) speaker boxes

-Sound system selectors who play for the massive

-DJs who knows how to hype up the dance

-Fried fish/jerk chicken carts

-Guinness, fresh coconut/coconut water

-No curfew.

Leftside AKA Dr. Evil

“When the DJs know how to play very well. As in not playing for him but actually playing for patrons. And lots of liquor!”

Stein

“What makes a bashment for me is a nice crowd, good music, lots of drinks, and a nice environment to enjoy the vibes.”

Natalie Storm

An ideal bashment for me would be one where I could forget myself for a minute and just dance. A lot of times in Jamaica, artists forget to just have fun and relax (even though this may not be the belief of the rest of the world). Good liquor, good people and great music are all I want when I go out. Parties like Uptown Monday, Passa Passa and Weddy Weddy offer all these things. So anytime you feel like coming to Ja, just be prepared to go paint the town red (or whatever color you prefer) with me!

Dre Skull

Soundsystem with proper bass and a crowd that’s ready ready.

Red Rat

When the selector/DJ knows how to assess the mood of the crowd and knows which song to play that gets everyone dancing. I hate a party where everyone stands up watching each other and are not dancing. Man and woman fi bubble and wine!