This Is Your Freestyle Blast #50
Where the Reef Meets the Rhythm
Every once in a while, there’s a Freestyle event so meaningful that it demands an entire issue of The Freestyle Blast all to itself. For this issue, that honor belongs, without question, to our concert at the University of Guam, with Shannon, Jocelyn Enriquez, and The Cover Girls featuring Angel OCG.
Yes, the journey itself was unforgettable, traveling nearly to the other side of the globe, but what made this experience truly extraordinary was why we went. We didn’t travel for a vacation, a conference, or a novelty appearance. We traveled for Freestyle.
For those not deeply involved in the business side of the genre, a trip like this might not immediately register as a big deal, and for those who weren’t part of this particular run, it may be easy to scroll past it. But deep down, there’s an understanding, whether acknowledged or not, of just how significant a moment like this truly is.
Now, let me be clear: we were not the first to bring Freestyle to Guam. Legends like The Jets and Safire had already planted important seeds there, and this was actually Jocelyn Enriquez’s second visit to the island. What I will say, however, is that the lineup we brought and the way this event was executed created the kind of impact needed to turn this location into a new and important Freestyle stop.
The connection between Jeff Jams and myself was nothing short of incredible. To think that a genre over 40 years old could be the bridge that brought us together, two people from opposite sides of the world, is still something I find amazing. Meeting Jeff, his family, his staff, and so many passionate Freestyle fans of Guam, along with experiencing the island itself, gave me a deeper understanding of what we’re really sitting on here, and what it could mean for the future of our genre and the artists who live and breathe it.
I hear the concerns. I hear the frustration about fewer Freestyle shows, and how difficult it has become for some artists to rely on this music as a true livelihood. That’s exactly why moments like Guam matter. Opening overseas markets isn’t just exciting, it’s necessary. And make no mistake: opening Guam also puts us directly on the radar of places like Hawaii, the Philippines and Japan, all of which already have some sort of history with Freestyle.
The same strategy applies to Brazil, another undeniable Freestyle hot spot, which has already sparked renewed interest from places like Colombia, Bolivia, and Peru.
This issue isn’t just about a concert that took place in Guam. It’s about possibility, and expansion, and a slight reminder that Freestyle can still travel farther than we ever imagined.
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From the Mainland to Micronesia:
Freestyle Finds a New Home on Guam
Angel and I just boarded our flight departing Guam and heading now to Tokyo, where we will connect to a Newark flight, and from there back home to Charlotte, North Carolina.
Yes…. It was a long trip. Approximately 21 hours each way, but I’ll tell you this, if Jeff Sanchez of JamzMedia, the incredible promoter who brought us out to perform at the UOG (University of Guam) asked us to come back tomorrow… we’d grab the next flight back.
I’ve been doing this Freestyle thang a pretty long time, and have worked with more promoters than I can ever remember, but the experience we had these last few days has been absolutely amazing.
But let me go back a bit, so you’d better understand what this trip was about.
It was Nov 5th 2025 when Jeff hit me via Facebook messenger. He was interested of course in The Cover Girls.
I’ve never been big on gigging outside the United States, and have turned down many past opportunities. (Shhh, don’t tell Angel) One in fact that also came from Guam a few years back, and though it was an incredible offer, the vibe I was getting wasn’t, and so I passed.
Jeff on the other hand was different. His sincere love for Freestyle popped up out of his message, and for the first time ever… I was intrigued.
I actually gave it an entire day before even mentioning it to my wife, who of course, before even letting me finish started texting her Cover Girl sisters.
Michelle was an immediate “Hell yeah!” But Margo had a prior engagement. We had been prepping Adriana Roscio as a stand-in when any of the girls couldn’t make it, never thinking that her debut performance as a Cover Girl would be on the other side of the world.
Once The Cover Girls were locked in, Jeff and I started dissecting my entire artist roster, no easy task at all, as I host so many incredible artists, but after a few days of going back and forth, we landed on two more incredible additions.
Shannon, of course, was a no-brainer. A living legend, and true dance music icon. She’s often one of my first recommendations, especially for a first-time event, because come on, who doesn’t know Shannon? Besides, those shows are critical, as the right lineup is needed to set the tone, build trust with the audience, and position my promoters and their venues for a long and successful run. That’s always my plan, to create a moment strong enough to keep the doors open, not just for the current show, but for many more to follow.
The second artist we agreed on was none other than Jocelyn Enriquez. Jocelyn had performed in Guam in the past, and with her Filipino roots, she was practically family. She was part of our original lineup discussion, and even after we carefully reviewed the entire roster, she remained the standout choice. Some decisions just naturally feel right, and this was one of them, and so… we got her on as well.
In no time, Jeff had his line up, and we immediately got to work on the particulars. Artist fees, flights and accommodations. Things that in the states we can usually handle with ease, but in this case there was a bit more to consider, such as the 21 hour flight, and the 16 hour time difference, and if you do the math, you’ll discover that we actually lost a entire day, but we made it work, and everyone was happy, as Jeff kept every promise he made…. And then some!
We were greeted at the airport by Jeff and his crew, with a huge welcome banner and a traditional South Pacific donning of lei and a kiss… we immediately felt welcomed.
Junior Ramirez aka Jun, Jeff’s best friend and right hand man, was basically our “everything” during this trip, and along with his wife (Bonnie?) we were in the best of hands.


We started the next day pretty early, first with a trip to the local radio station, where the artists got to chop it up live on the air, followed by a press conference back in the hotel lobby.
As we entered the UOG for soundcheck, it was a sort of mixture of authentic Guam and modernization brought to you by JamzMedia. Prior to getting there, you kind of cant help but to imagine a scene from an old Elvis movie, but then you step into this venue and hear the music thumping, the set up, better than so many we have to deal with in the states…
A staff that was as professional as they come, a DJ (Dj Ron.G.Swift) who was killing it, and an awesome LED back wall that truly brought it all together. Soundcheck was perfect!
And so its showtime, and off to the UOG we went.
A local band was already on stage keeping the vibe going as the crowd made their way in and to their seats, followed by an incredible dance group of kids that had my eyes glued to their phenomenal performance.
Though The Cover Girls were set to close the show, this lineup was without doubt a triple header, starting off with the beautiful and talented Jocelyn Enriquez.
I hadn’t seen her perform for some time, but the minute she began, I was immediately reminded of how dope she truly is.
No sense in talking about those bangers she recorded, lets talk about that amazing voice that will send those goosebumps racing up under every inch of your skin.
Jocelyn sat back for a few years to focus more on faith and family, but now that that’s all solid, expect to see more of this amazing artist.
Next up was of course The Queen. Miss Shannon. One of my personal favorites, not just as an artist, but as a friend and sister, along with another Husband / Manager team, my brother, Prince Roger.
Just her presence on stage grabs your attention, and once she cracks her trademark whip… Thats it folks, its on!
Whether you’re a fan of Freestyle, Dance, or EDM, you are no doubt a fan of Shannon. Along with her dancers Gio and Diego, who not only put on a spectacular show, they’re incredible dudes to be on the road with. Oh, and did I mention, Shannon’s a La’ Exclusive artist, so you know what’s up… Call me!
Closing the night was none other than, The Cover Girls featuring Angel OCG, except this time it was different. Due to a prior engagement, our beautiful Margo could not make the the long trip to Guam, however, for the last year, we’ve been preparing a new addition to help cover when one of the sisters can’t make it, and thank God we did, or else we would’ve had to pass on this amazing experience.
Adriana Maria Roscio is not just a trained dancer / ballerina, who also owns her own dance school, she’s also a major Freestyle fan, a must requirement to roll with us.
Adriana has not only the talent to be a Cover Girl, both in dance and singing, but more importantly, the awesome personality that our crew has always displayed.
Her first performance with us was a big one, and with all the demands it required, the average person would’ve surely collapsed under it’s pressure. I don’t think Adriana will ever experience a Cover Girl show as challenging as this one, and so she passed this test with flying stars!
Michelle Viana has been with us now over a year, and has definitely become a seasoned Cover Girl. Known and loved by so many fans and promoters. Easy to work with and a pleasure to have on the road, and when the opportunity to be in the group came knocking, she immediately rushed in and grabbed her spot.
Michelle and Adriana clicked from the start, and it shows in their performance, and as the perfect complement to the OCG.
Whether on stage or off, if Angels around, everyone will know it!
It is no secret how much she loves performing, and no secret of how much she loves her fans, with now a new special place in her heart cut out especially for the wonderful people of Guam.
A new show was produced especially for Guam, adding an extra three Cover Girl songs never performed on stage, bringing the entire set to a full 11 Cover Girls songs.
The show ended with a cheer that not only shook the walls, but that put a lump in my throat. Photos, autographs, and more photos as the crowd exited the venue, and our wonderful performance in Guam came to a close.
So while those negative Nelly’s continue talking about the so-called death of Freestyle, Jeff and I are busy talking about the next Freestyle bunch to send to Guam, adding possible stops in Japan and the Philippines.
On behalf of the entire La’ Entertainment crew… Thank you, Guam for having us.
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To all our Subscribers, Readers, Subjects, and of course our Sponsors, for being a part of this month’s issue of the Freestyle Blast Newsletter, Thank you all so much!
and until next time…
This was your Freestyle Blast!
Latif Mercado has been a part of the Freestyle Music scene for well over 30 years, as well as an integral player behind the genre’s continued success.
As a Booking Agent with a who's who roster of Freestyle Greats, as well as his managerial involvement with such industry icons as Lil' Suzy, Angel OCG, and The Cover Girls, rarely would you find a Freestyle event happening without Latif somewhere in the mix.
Latif loves hearing from his readers, answering questions, and sharing whatever advice he possibly can, whether it be on writing, or maybe something Freestyle-related, so be sure to reach out, even if it’s just to say hi.
So please Follow Him Everywhere @LatifMercado
What did you pick up from this month’s issue? What would you add to the conversation? Whether you’re a seasoned pro or just soaking it all in, hit the comment button below and share your thoughts and opinions. Can’t wait to read it!





































Man great issue. I wish I was there in Guam for the show.