J Media Design Group
Jason
Lopez
jmediadesigngroup@gmail
Reggae Sumfest
2012 Goes Down In History
I just returned from “The Greatest Reggae Show on Earth,”
Reggae Sumfest. Reggae Sumfest is a weeklong event that showcases the best artist
in reggae and dancehall music in the world. This year was the 20th Anniversary
of the event, which happened to coincide with Jamaica’s 50 Years of
Independence celebrations. The event was held from July 15th – July
21st in Montego Bay, Jamaica at St. Catherine Hall.
Reggae Sumfest kicked off its season with social media
marketing, which included an “Official Reggae Sumfest Riddim, Poster, and
T-Shirt” competition on Facebook. The winners of the competition were; Reynado
Harrison from Kingston for the Riddim, Alrey Campbell from Kingston for his
Poster design, and Jason Lopez from Kenosha, Wisconsin U.S.A. for his T-Shirt
design. They each received V.I.P. passes to all three nights of the show and
cash prizes.
Sunday July 15th started off Sumfest week of festivities
with a beach party at AquaSol Theme Park. The party lasted until around 1 a.m.,
with all-inclusive Red Stripe and Red Stripe Lite Flavours. The party was a
hit, with a special performance by Jah Vinci that had the crowd restless for
Thursday, Dancehall Night.
Reggae Sumfest 2012 Dancehall Night was Thursday July 19th
starting at 9 p.m. and ending far into the next morning. Performances by
Aidonia, Elephant Man, Kip Rich, Romain Virgo, Konshens, Popcaan, Cham,
I-Octain, Tommy Lee, Bounty Killer, Beenie Man, and the list goes on!
Performances by Bounty Killer and I-Octain were accompanied by flamethrowers,
made out of lighters and aerosol cans that had been smuggled into the
event. Patrons did not start leaving to
go get some rest for International Night 1 until the sun was breaking the
hills, and many stayed even longer until every one had finished their sets.
It was said by many that International Night 1 was the most
entertaining. A Jamaica 50 Tribute featured the pioneers of reggae music and
culture, with performances by artist like, Yellow Man, Pinchers, Mighty
Diamonds, and many more greats. International sensation Trey Songs had the
ladies melting with lyrics like, ”I bet the neighbors know my name.” The night
was stolen away by “The Dancehall Emperor,”
Shabba Ranks. On Sunday the Gleaner read,”Shabba Sizzles,” to describe his
unforgettable performance. The night came to an end as the skies lightened to
bring in Reggae Sumfest last day and International Night 2.
Saturday evening was International Night 2, the last Day of
the festival. The line up consisted of reggae greats Bunny Whaler, Christopher
Martin, Protoje, Damian Marley, and R&B legend R Kelly. R Kelly who was scheduled
to perform last year but did not make it due to medical conditions fulfilled
his promise and showed up this year. This year he arrived late but gave the
crowd what they were looking for, performing many of his platinum hits. My
favorite performance at Reggae Sumfest was Damian Marley, performing “Welcome
to Jamrock,” which I watched from the CVM TV Sky-box, courtesy of the Sutherland
family. Reggae Sumfest was wrapped up with a Jamaica 50 Tribute.
Reggae Sumfest 20th Anniversary 2012 was an event
that you should not have missed. I feel it represented Jamaica 50 and Reggae
Sumfest 20 in a good look!
“Looking
Back, Moving Forward”
See you next time!
