Mary J Blige, LL Cool J & Shaggy headlines Reggae Sumfest

Sumfest Sell off this year!!!!!


Bob Marley as once quoted as saying 'The Words of the songs, not the person, is what attracts people' and how these sentiments ring true today. Who would have thought that the mere idea, some 15 years ago, of hosting a reggae festival could have grown into an event of such trenedous magnitude attracting over 30,000 patrons last year alone. Today Red Stripe Reggae Sumfest holds a dominant place on the local entertainment calendar and is viewed, across the world, as the marquee reggae event of the Summer.

To celebrate reaching this pivotal point of 15 years, the organizers of Red Stripe Reggae Sumfest Productions have promised a star studded line upof local and international talents. Of course every attention will be paid to organization, security and production, to ensure that all goes well for the festival scheduled for Sunday July 15th to Saturday July 21st, in Montego Bay Jamaica.

Johnny Gourzong, Executive Directors of Summerfest Produtions, says that this year marks an important milestone for the festival and he gave his assurance that the event would be a first class one that wil feature plethora of talent, both new and 'well seasoned'".

The week long evet will begin with a beach party featuring the Fab5 band. Dancehall night dubbed the 'Xplosion' will kick off the signature three nights on Thursday July 19th with artistes like Bounty killer, Elephant Man, Baby Cham, Beenie Man, Ninjaman, Vegas, Lady Saw, Macka Diamond and Anthony B. Hot and relatively new dancehall acts including Movado , Aidonia, Munga Honourable and Busy Signal are also on the line up. As the names suggests 'Xplosion' will see explosive talent and convergence of different styles with Vybes Kartel, Chuck Fenda, Wayne Marshall, Voice Mail, Litte Hero, Gyptian, Luthan fyah, Europ, Shane O, Teflon and Kip Rich rounding out the set for the night.

The Evolution is up next representing the firs of the two (2) international nights on Friday July 20th. Grammy award winner, 'Mr. Church Heathen' himself, Shaggy, will perform alongside some of Jamaica's other greate- Buju Banton and Morgan Heritage.Richie Spice, Etania, Davile , the scorching vocalist Cherine Anderson and the ever rising star Christopher Martin are also included on the line up. Things will climax on Saturday night July 21st at the 'Zenith' where the sultry soulful diva Mary J. Blidge will entice the audience with her powerful lyrics. She will share the stage with another powerhouse Tanya Stephens while Allison Hinds will add a soca element fresh from Carnival. The leading man of soul, Bere Hammond, will combine his potent lyrics and heart stopping performance to the event as well.

The evening 's entertainment will be completed by Jamaica's very own 'John Legend' of reggae music, Tarrus Riley and the Empress of rock reggae Tessanne Chin who will be backed by the band Rootz Underground.

Carlo Redwood, Group Marketing Manager for Red Stripe, the title sponsors of the event admits that he is elated to be a part of the event for yet another year and expressed great confidence in the Summerfest team to put on another record breaking show.

''Summerfest Productions has demonstrated time and time again that they can certainly deliver a world class event, we expect nothing less this year and wil be working closely with the team to ensure that all goes as planned, 'reggae indeed rocks and runs the world'.