This is a short review on what I caught of the Reggae Sumfest in Jamaica this past week. On Friday night I was sitting at my computer doing something totally unrelated to the Reggae Sumfest when I got a pop-up notification, better yet an invitation from one of the many Radio Stations that I am subscribed to in Jamaica, even though I live in Canada. It was to come watch two nights of free Live Streaming of the Sumfest in Montego Bay on Friday July 21 and Saturday July 22. Well, believe me I dropped everything I was doing and jumped at the opportunity, I could not believe what had fallen into my lap, so to speak. First I had to register on the Sumfest site, it just required an email and password, so I did that and then I was on my way to having the most glorious two night weekend I have had in a long time. On Friday night it was Dancehall night, and believe me they did put out! Reggae artist from all over the Island and even as far as Hawaii was on the list of performers, there was I-Octane, Bounty Killer, Ding Dong, Sizzla, Spice, Popcaan, Rygin King, Tommy Lee, Masicka, Govana, Professor Nuts, and many many more that I cant recall at this time especially the newcomers that Popcaan kept calling up on stage to perform with him, To me the highlight of that night was the Wakanda performance from the Black Panther movie by Spice, she was dressed to the hilt in the Lupita's costume and literally shelled down the place, it was a sight to behold. You would have to be there to really know what I am talking about. Bounty Killer celebrated 25 years for the most appearances by an artist on Sumfest, Sumfest celebrated 26 years of it's existence. I-Octane was honoured for 10 years at Sumfest, he was presented with a plaque. It was ten + hours of streaming time but what I couldn't watch on Friday night I finished on Saturday before the other show on Saturday night.
On Saturday night again it was a magnificient show, there were artists like Queen Ifrica, Maxi Priest, Damian Marley, Baby Cham, Beres Hammond, Raging Fyah, Jesse Royal, J Boog and an all star lineup of Reggae superstars. It was a one of a kind, once in a lifetime experience in HD video and Multi-Track Audio. To me, the highlights for that night was Damian Marley and Capleton performances, especially Damian he had the house locked down especially because it was his birthday and his young son surprised him by going on stage to sing "I Just Called To Say I Love You" dedicated to his dad, well that brought the house down, I dont think there was a dry eye in the audience of thousands. Capleton the "Fire Man" he closed the show, he was in full form burning the fire everywhere, especially pertaining to the recent troubles he has been having for the past few months. Anyone that knows him, know that he wont let anything rain on his parade. All in all I believe the whole event was a great success so this concludes my review for the two nights that I was so fortunate to watch in their entirety, my only hope is that they will continue to do this every year so people that are not in Jamaica or cant make it to be there will be able to see at least some of the performances.
ONE LOVE!