NIGERIAN ARTIST TO GRACE REGGAE SUMFEST STAGE FOR THE FIRST TIME!

BY SIMONE MORGAN-LINDO
Observer reporter

PREPARATIONS are ahead of schedule for this year’s Reggae Sumfest, slated for July 16-22 at Catherine Hall Entertainment Centre in Montego Bay.

According to festival chairman Joe Bogdanovich, “Everything is going well and we are way ahead as it relates to preparations. It is looking good from where we stand and our security features are well implemented, among other features.”

Pato Ranking

Bogdanovich — who axed the festival’s popular International Night to accommodate local acts only — is shifting gear this year. He has Nigerian entertainer Patoranking in the line-up.

He said Reggae Sumfest does not aim to segregate, but its main focus is reggae.

“Patoranking will be the first Nigerian artiste to grace the Reggae Sumfest stage. He has good roots and good music. Jamaicans are always talking about their African roots, so bringing him is only fitting. We are currently doing a lot of promotion for the festival in Africa also,” said Bogdanovich.

Canadian hip hop artiste Tony Lanez will also perform.

Canadian hip hop artist Tony Lanez

“While he is not a Jamaican, he does have Caribbean roots as his parents are from the region. He also labels himself as a dancehall artiste,” Bogdanovich stated.

The festival chairman, who is also CEO of Downsound Records, said he and his team aim to make Reggae Sumfest an international fixture.

“We will be having a 360 virtual reality stream and we are aiming to double the figure from the 20 million viewers that we had last year. We are very serious as to how we present dancehall music,” he said.

With over seven months of promotion, Bogdanovich said he is expecting a full house for the seven-day festival.

Sean Paul also on the bill

“Last year we didn’t have that much time, but this year we went full force ahead with launches in Miami, New York, Kingston, and Montego Bay,” he said.

In addition to Patoranking and Tory Lanez, the line-up includes Sean Paul, Alkaline, Sizzla, Mavado, Bounty Killer, Queen Ifrica, Sean Kingston, Beenie Man, Christopher Martin, and Jah Cure.