Reggae Sumfest 2012

By Steve James on Sunday, September 9, 2012 - Photos by Steve James - Comment

The festival took place in Montego Bay, Jamaica from July 15 to 21.

The recently concluded Reggae Sumfest which was held in Catherine Hall, Montego Bay will have patrons talking about it for months to come. Celebrating its 20th anniversary since its inception and including celebration of Jamaica's 50th year of Independence, the organizers took the event to another level. Reggae Sumfest drew for three big crowd acts, US based Trey Songz, songwriter & producer R. Kelly and Shabba Ranks, reggae's two time Grammy Kid who was performing in Jamaica for the first time in almost twenty years. Celebrating Jamaica's 50th, Reggae Sumfest honored some of Jamaica's finest for their contribution to Jamaica's music industry.

Reggae Sumfest 2012

Thursday night which is billed Dancehall Night brought out the cream of the crop in Jamaica' current Dancehall with each one delivering at their highest level. The audience was treated to performances by Romain Virgo, Popcaan, Kiprich, Baby Cham, Bounty Killer, and Konshens among others. Lady Saw was crowned the Queen of Dancehall and Beenie Man closed dancehall Night. One of the most surprising responses from the crowd came from Montegonian and member of the Gaza Empire, Tommy Lee. The crowd went into a frenzy during his entire performance.

Friday Night was International Night 1 and patrons were asked to wear Jamaican colours in support of Jamaica's 50th. Patrons turned out in droves to see such acts as Tessanne Chin, young sensation Angelique Sabrina, Tarrus Riley, and American R & B sensation Trey Songz. The US based singer delivered a very impressive set and all those who came out to see him sang every step of the way. However, at the end, the night belonged to Grammy Kid, Shabba Ranks, he wooed the crowd with all his dancehall hits, invited singer Cherine Anderson to some of his past hit combinations such as Twice My Age, Mr. Loverman and Telephone Love. Cherine was raunchy, tasteful and complimented the DJ who has been known over the years to praise women in all of his songs. Shabba Ranks brought his family on stage and explained that raising his kids was the main reason that has kept him away from home so long. At the end of his performance the DJ was given an achievement award from the organizers of Sumfest for his contribution to Jamaica's music industry. Reggae Sumfest 2012 Continuing its celebration of Jamaica's 50th anniversary, the crowd was treated to performances by The Mighty Diamonds, Derrick Harriott, Leroy Sibbles, Leroy Smart, John Holt, Pinchers and Yellowman. All gave a good representation of Jamaica's past musical history.

International Night 2 brought out the likes of Protoje, Christopher Martin and R Kelly. After over an hour long delay, the R &B singer delivered several hits from his vast catalogue and had the capacity crowd mesmerized. However, there was some patrons who felt that he could have sang much more hits and do more to compliment his performance. Jr. Gong showed his fitness on stage and gave one of the strongest and most compelling performances of the three day festival. He ended his set with his current hit Affairs of the Heart. He then came back on stage to do an encore with Welcome to Jamrock. Cen'C Love, Althea Hewitt and Andrew Tosh were all a part of the lineup that paid a special tribute the legendary Skatalites. Reggae Sumfest 2012 was closed fittingly by one of Jamaica's Reggae Icons, Bunny Wailer. The only surviving Wailers in his usual self gave hit after hit while giving the patrons a bit of history in between.