TAMPA (FOX 13) -
The sights and sounds of IIFA Stomp were colorful, flavorful and full of life.
Curtis Hixon was packed with people who came out to taste Indian food, listen to the music and dance to the awesome sound of Bollywood beats and DJ Ravi Drums.
The Tampa native was thrilled to take center stage at one of the biggest celebrity Indian events America has ever hosted.
"It's cosmic, it's just perfect, to come home to Tampa to do the biggest Indian event in the world in Tampa and release my record on the same day, do a track with local Gumby, and me, it's just amazing," he said.
Gumby and DJ Ravi Drums teamed up to create the infectious track "Do Da Tampa" which has become the viral theme song for the IIFA celebrations.
Among the celebrities that were on stage for IIFA Stomp was Slumdog Millionaire actor Anil Kapoor. He rallied the crowds and even showed off some dance moves.
The event was a mix of Indian and American music, but DJ Ravi Drums said he still has a special place in his heart for Hindi songs.
"Indian music, it's like a sari, it's colorful, it's big, it's bold, it's loud, it's crazy," he said. "Bollywood tracks are some of the most well produced tracks in the world and what they do percussion-wise is second to no one on Earth."
The event celebrates two cultures coming together, and the man on stage, DJ Ravi Drums, is the epitome of IIFA coming to his hometown.
His father, who was also at the event and is very involved in the local Indian community, said it’s unbelievable.
“We never imagined that it can happen in Tampa and especially my son come here, coming as a star and to be in the show, that is, you cannot ask for anything more," he said.
FOX 13 News