Montego Bay, Jamaica — Reggae Sumfest, broadly hailed as the best reggae pageant on the earth, lit up Jamaica’s second metropolis with a week-long celebration of music, tradition, and neighborhood. Drawing throngs of locals and worldwide guests, the pageant’s high-energy occasions have remodeled Montego Bay right into a pulsating hub of sound and magnificence.
Although I missed Sunday’s Household Enjoyable Day kickoff, I used to be among the many followers at Wednesday evening’s Blitz—the extremely anticipated all-black affair at Catherine Corridor Stadium grounds. The evening belonged to Stalk Ashley, who delivered a commanding solo set that seamlessly fused R&B, dancehall, and soul. Her efficiency had the gang singing in unison, and the vitality reached fever pitch when she was joined by dancehall firebrand Valiant for his or her explosive collaboration Narcissistic, sending each temperature and decibel ranges hovering.
Including to the week lengthy pleasure was the revamped World Fete Sound Conflict, that includes a fierce face-off between veteran selector Tony Matterhorn and Little Shabba of Infamous Worldwide. Matterhorn got here out swinging with heavyweight anthems from Mavado and Vybz Kartel, however Shabba—unfazed—answered again with knockout tunes of his personal, together with a dubplate from Matterhorn himself, recorded years in the past for Infamous Worldwide.
The conflict reached its apex within the electrifying “tune-for-tune” section. Matterhorn struck first with a pair of blistering Kartel dubplates, however Shabba countered with unmatched precision, clinching victory for the second consecutive 12 months. Remarkably, he carried out solo this time—his spouse and sound associate, Dangerous Gal Marie, was away in Japan for a household funeral.
The music stored coming. Ghanaian star Moliy made her Sumfest debut along with her Billboard hit Shake It To The Max, joined on stage by two enthusiastic feminine dancers from the gang. She was adopted by Yung Bredda, who introduced soca vibes to the forefront along with his large anthem The Biggest Bend Ova.
The week’s momentum has been unstoppable. Monday’s avenue dance and Tuesday’s all-white get together at Pier One drew packed crowds and rave critiques, retaining the Sumfest spirit alive across the clock.
All eyes now flip to Competition Evening One, set for tonight, the place the legendary Vybz Kartel can be topped the undisputed King of Dancehall. Becoming a member of the explosive lineup are Skeng, Laden, Govana, Jamal, and Tommy Lee Sparta.
The pageant wraps on Saturday evening with an epic finale led by R&B legend Toni Braxton, joined by Protoje, Lila Iké, and Tarrus Riley, who will honor his late father, reggae icon Jimmy Riley. The closing evening additionally options tributes by Canadian crooner Chester Miller to Dennis Brown, and British soul singer Terence Wallen to Gregory Isaacs—a heartfelt nod to reggae’s wealthy legacy and its vibrant future.
