BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – INTERNATIONAL R&B megastar Usher has been added to the stellar lineup for the 2010 staging of Reggae Sumfest.This year will be the 18th staging of the Montego Bay event that will be held from July 17 to 24.
The winner of five Grammys, eight Soul Train and 19 Billboard Music awards, Usher will join Reggae heavyweights Shaggy, Beenie Man, Tarrus Riley, Queen Ifrica and international R&B star Chris Brown to bring the Reggae Sumfest stage to life for a possibly more than 30 000 music fans.
The storied festival kicks off on July 17 with the Reggae Sumfest Beach Party at Cornwall Beach, and continues at the Catherine Hall Entertainment Centre with Guinness Dancehall Night on July 22 and International Nights on July 23 and 24.
In a previous article posted on SKNVibes, yardflex.com reported that organisers were facing challenges in hosting the event and were appealing to stakeholders to work with them in finding creative solutions to challenges for the staging of the 18th edition.
However, with the announcement of Usher, plans seem to be progressing smoothly for the event. Reggae SumFest is an annual event that provides an avenue for new and established local talent to demonstrate their prowess to an international audience, as well as a wide cross section of the Jamaican society.
The brainchild of several Montego Bay businessmen, Reggae SumFest was first held in 1993. In a press release, Jamaica`s Director of Tourism John Lynch said that Reggae Sumfest is important to Tourism.
“Reggae music was born in Jamaica and Reggae Sumfest is the most celebrated and supported Reggae festival on the island, attracting the world`s leading musicians and performers.
“Over the last 18 years, Reggae Sumfest has showcased an excellent entertainment package, loaded with great performances, delicious food, lively music and a unique cultural experience shared on the world stage by both Jamaicans and international visitors alike,” Lynch said.
Reggae Sumfest is the largest concert festival in Jamaica, taking place each year in mid-July. The show has traditionally featured top Reggae performers, including Damian ‘Junior Gong’ Marley and Stephen Marley, The Mighty Diamonds, Toots & the Maytals, Beres Hammond, Tony Rebel and Freddie McGregor, and dancehall stars like Sean Paul, Beenie Man, Bounty Killer, Elephant Man, Capleton, and Lady Saw.
However, Hip-Hop and Rhythm and Blues acts like Snoop Dogg, Rhianna, 50 Cent, Ja Rule, Boyz II Men and Lionel Richie have also made appearances on the SumFest stage.
