Kingston, Jamaica – ORGANISERS of Reggae Sumfest have decided to dedicate this year’s Dancehall Night of the annual event to deceased Voicemail member O’Neil Edwards. The 2010 much-anticipated event will take place from July 17 to 24 in Montego Bay.
According to Johnny Gourzong, Executive Director of Reggae Sumfest, “It is appropriate to honour a vibrant personality that was loved in the music business. The Voicemail group has brought the fun factor in the music, and O’Neil was a key element in this regard. He was loved and respected by fans, fellow artistes, promoters and just about everybody in the business; so we will honour his memory with this dedication.”
The remaining two members of the group, Jerome ‘Craig’ Jackson and Kevin Blair, will perform at the event. According to 876Radio, the two artistes expressed their gratitude for the gesture made by Reggae Sumfest and promised a fitting tribute performance.
O’Neil passed away on Wednesday, May 26, two weeks after falling victim to a vicious assault by gunmen at his home.
The singer had turned 36 on (May 8) just a few weeks before he died and had a daughter, who was born five weeks before he passed away.
The group is known for creating quite a number of dances in the dancehall fraternity and also some big hit singles, including ‘Do What You Feel Like’, ‘Dance The Night Away’, ‘Let’s Dance’ and ‘Get Crazy’.
Reggae Sumfest will feature a beach party, a dancehall night, two international nights and a number of other events.
Some of the other acts booked to perform for Sumfest are Bounty Killer, Mavado, Elephant Man, Vybz Kartel, Tifa, Cecile and Stacious.
The event will continue on the following night with International Night One, featuring international recording artiste Chris Brown as well as Queen Ifrica, Jah Cure and Gyptian. International Night Two will see mega platinum sensation Usher, Shaggy, Beenie Man, Tarrus Riley and Gramps Morgan onstage.
