DancehallMag
×
News

The Highlights Of ‘A Taste Of Reggae Sumfest’

By
sizzla
Sizzla

Not even the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic could stop the greatest Reggae Show on earth from happening this year. While the ongoing travel restrictions, limits on social gatherings, and the fear of contagion have prevented the annual festival from being held at the usual venue of Catherine Hall, Montego Bay, the promoters of the event were not outdone.

“If anything, COVID-19 has demonstrated that, in order to remain relevant, we must be able to meet challenges head-on and we must rethink our models,” said DownSound CEO Joe Bogdanovich leading up to the week of activities, streamed live on YouTube, Facebook and Instagram.

And indeed the rethought model of Reggae Sumfest was well received, for the most part. One advantage of the event being solely online was that the thousands of viewers could easily share their views on every moment of the shows on Friday and Saturday night. The comment sections on each platform were abuzz from the moment Mutabaruka stepped on stage barefoot to open night one, until Bogdanovich gave closing remarks at the end of night two after a fiery Sizzla performance.

Here are some of the most talked-about performances of the condensed two-night festival:

1. Ishawna brings the sexy

After nineties hit-makers Chaka Demus & Pliers, Tanto Metro and Devonte, and Frisko Kid did the honours of warming up the live feed with classic hits, as is traditionally done at any Dancehall setting, it was time for some newer faces. Daddy1 and Chronic Law of the Montego Bay-based 6ixx brought the viewers up to the time with some of their recent hits, then Miss Legendary took the stage, and proceeded to drive fans crazy.

ish-1
Ishawna

The controversial Ishawna brought a level of sex appeal and feminine superiority to the concert that was unmatched by the two other female acts that graced the stage after her. Shenseea, who is mourning the loss of her mother, delivered a solid set, but opted to take things easy, while DownSound Entertainment’s newest female face Marcy Chin could only do so much and no more with her break out single Nasty Love.

2. The ‘Ravings’

What would Dancehall night be without dance?

Romeich Entertainment’s Dancing King Ding Dong, accompanied by the Ravers Dance crew, brought the authentic and contagious Dancehall vibe to the virtual show, while simultaneously showing his range as a well-rounded vocalist and dancer. Moving to his own hits like Fling Yuh Shoulda, Flair is in the Air and quarantine anthem Inside, Ding Dong and his team brought the ‘good things dem’  that fans, both local and abroad, have come to expect from him.

3. A ‘Winning’ close to Dancehall night

One of the most consistent and respected acts in the Dancehall space, Agent Sasco, closed the show on Friday, and we could not think of anyone better to do it. Sasco reminded fans and doubters why he branded himself as ‘versatile’ from back in the day when he was known as Assassin.

The entertainer started his set with the meditative hit Banks of the Hope, taken from his 2018 Hope River album, and ensured that he brought every member of his virtual audience on the 20-minute journey to the end of the show with him.

“Well this is Reggae Sumfest 2020, the virtual edition. So right about now, massive, me want you drop some fire emoji, and some diamond emoji in the comments,” he requested. The fans were only too happy and eager to oblige. He kept them actively engaged throughout is set by asking them to drop their country flags, and other emoticons to represent themes in the slew of hits that he reeled off, including Fade away ft Romain Virgo, Winning Right Now, Mix up, Anywhere we go, and his new track Loco.

In closing a beautiful set, Sasco thanked the audience, advertised next year’s show, and sent the patrons ‘home’ with the prayerful Almighty protect Me, as is customary for journeying mercies to be offered at the end of Dances.

night2
Night 2, A Taste Of Reggae Sumfest

4. One drop with Tarrus Riley

After a soulful starting set by Gyptian, Tarrus Riley did not drop the easy-going mellow mood that Reggae lovers around the world had tuned in for on Night 2.

After belting out a few declarative lines from Lion Paw, Riley called in Konshens (who had delivered an epic high-energy set on Dancehall night) to help him to show gratitude for the Simple Blessings in life.

“With everything that’s going on, we definitely need some kind of healing, when words fail, we talk through music,” Riley said after introducing his new single Healing. After re-engaging the living-room crowd by having them sing along to Gimme Likkle One Drop, Riley gave them the exclusive first listen to his newest effort– Remember Me. On that reflective note, he ended his set and made way for Big Ship captain Freddie McGreggor.

5. Koffee’s composure

20-year-old ‘Grammy kid’ Koffee was arguably the biggest crowd-puller for Reggae might, seeing that her age and style of music transcends any one generation. The reserved musician went straight for the music, kicking off her set with Rapture.

Dressed comfortably in kicks, a camouflage shorts suit, and a mesh marina which she is becoming known for, she transitioned seamlessly into the lyrically complex Ragamuffin, and kept her composure as she delivered every single word.  She then let the hungry crowd have some Toast, before she served up her latest hit, Lockdown to close her performance.

6. A Sizzling Close

All good things must come to a close, and so did Reggae Night of the Greatest Reggae Show on Earth. There was no one better to close the show that the show stopper from August Town, Sizzla. After a feature on his philanthropic efforts in his once crime-stricken St. Andre Community, Sizzla took the virtual stage with his early millennium hit Just One of Those Days. He followed through with none-stop hits: Solid as a Rock, Thank you Mama, Rise to the Occasion, Good Ways, and Holding Firm.

The fire blazed and erupted in a glorious crescendo as Sizzla got to the point, and just continued to freestyle potent lyrics from his endless catalog of hits. There could have been no greater ‘bang’ with which to end A Taste of Sumfest.

Watch the full shows for Night One and Night Two below.