What a year a great Reggae Year it already is for World A Reggae, and the festival summer didn’t even start yet. In the week from 15 – 22 July World A Reggae went to Jamaica to see what a gwaan at Reggae Sumfest, Jamaica’s premier Reggae (and Dancehall) Festival in Montego Bay. And what an event that was. In the week before the Sumfest weekend we slowly geared up for the weekend by paying homage to the reggae greats Bob Marley and Peter Tosh in their museums. Stopped by at our friends at Culture Yard in Trench Town and we made sure we relaxed well. How? Do a Rum Tour at Hampden Distillery and afterward sit yourself dung on a raft on the Martha Brae River. Relaxation Guaranteed!

But Reggae Sumfest is not only the two nights at Catherine Hall, but It also involves numerous parties in Montego Bay. So Off we went to Bunji Garlin’s All Black Party at the Hard Rock Cafe and the Reggae Sumfest Global Sound Clash at the Pier 1 Parking. For the Sound Clash fans, the winner of the night was Warrior Sound from Germany. Footage of those nights can be found on our Instagram and Facebook Page.

Reggae Sumfest itself? It’s hard to describe the vibes we witnessed those two nights. After being trapped in Traffic for an hour we reached the venue at Catherine Hall kinda late, but just in time to see Spragga Benz mash up the venue. Unfortunately, we missed acts like Rre, Harry Toddler and Unknown Gringo. From having ur gear installed until we had to leave the venue the Dancehall night was one big Rollercoaster ride, with performances by Agent Sasco, Koffee, Chronixx (who called on Mr. Eazi and his dad Chronicle on stage, and a duo performance by dancehall legends Bounty Killer and Beenie Man on one stage. Especially the Spice performance is burned on our eyeballs, what an outburst of energy and creativity on that stage. Unfortunately, the show, as we all now know ended somehow abrupt by police interference.

The Second night was a whole different game. Again we got stuck in traffic and entered the venue during Jah9’s stunning set, dressed in Orange on a blue Backdrop, A photographers heaven. Also this second night went by like a split second, from the always steady Strong One, Etana and her amazing dancers. The Protoje set where Mr. Diggy called on his talented friends Sevana, Lila Iké, Chronixx, Jesse Royal and Agent Sasco and threw a small party on stage and shell dung the whole venue. After Protoje the Chairman of the board Mr. Beres Hammond did what he does best, entertaining the crowd hit after hit and letting the ladies in the venue melt. Christopher Martin and Romain Virgo went right after Mr. Hammond and kept the crowd full of energy. We have to make a big compliment to Teshae who was brought on stage by Romain Virgo to sing and make the people aware of the growing issue of Child Abuse. Well done!!

Closing the night was the man, the whole venue had been waiting for that night, Mr. Mark Myrie aka Buju Banton, back for the second time on a stage in Jamaica. Here at Reggae Sumfest he set started his set different from the one in the National Stadium last March, and Buju went straight into his highly energetic Dancehall mood with no intend to slow down.

Altogether this was an awesome Reggae Sumfest week for World A Reggae in Jamaica, and we got to see the island in another way than we normally do, thanks to the Jamaica Tourist Board and a big compliment to Down Sound Entertainment and Reggae Sumfest. The Photos of the Sumfest show will be added soon!