Most Memorable LIVE Virtual Dancehall & Reggae Performances In 2020
The novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic brought an onslaught of uncertainty, destruction, and despair across the globe. In Jamaica, the nation was rocked with never-before-seen measures that brought life to a sudden halt – especially the country’s thriving entertainment and tourism industries that depended on the two things the pandemic obliterated – people and togetherness.
Luckily for us, the human race did what it has done repeatedly throughout history – it found a way to not only survive but to thrive. In a matter of months, in the midst of mounting cases, deaths and anguish, entertainment found a way to survive in a new digital home online. Bolstered by the wide-reaching arms of the internet, entertainers worldwide literally blasted their music through barriers as an act of defiance and empowerment against the dread of COVID-19 in numerous virtual performances that united people from all races and class.
At the end of it all, nearing the end of the whirlwind that is 2020, some memorable moments in Dancehall and Reggae were captured and will live on forever online and in our hearts. Undoubtedly, Dancehall and Reggae music soared to new heights and international fame this year through some of the most captivating and entertaining virtual performances in the history of Jamaican music and the internet, which fundamentally signified unity in the midst of distancing.
Beenie Man vs Bounty Killer – Verzuz
This year saw the rise of the popular virtual concert series, Verzuz, from Hip Hop/Rap producers Swizz Beats and Timbaland. The online musical performance began streaming in March on Instagram live from the brand’s account, @verzuztv, and featured back-to-back performances from pairs of renowned musicians across the Hip Hop, Rap, R&B, and Dancehall genres.
The iconic battle between Dancehall veterans Beenie Man and Bounty Killer racked up the second-highest amount of views on Instagram, drawing 1.6 million views just for its recording on Instagram only. The battle has gone down in history as the best Verzuz battle to date, with 88% of the people’s votes in Billboard’s online poll.
Their sets included classic Dancehall hits like Look Into My Eyes and Wickedest Slam, and, of course, authentic Dancehall freestyle. Beenie and Bounty’s performance drew the attention of major entertainers like Popcaan, Rihanna, and Skepta, and the World’s Fastest Man, Usain Bolt.
Buju Banton – BBC Radio 1Xtra
Accompanying his first interview with international media, Reggae and Dancehall icon Buju Banton gave a stellar performance for BBC Radio 1Xtra inside the Kingston-based Penthouse Studios in March.
During this interview with Seani B for the BBC Radio’s urban contemporary music outfit, Banton maintained his controversial thoughts about the “stagnation” of the Dancehall and Reggae industries during his years in incarceration, which, of course, prompted backlash from fellow industry members.
Despite his remarks, Buju’s performance has been concretized as a memorable one and one of his first performances since his release from prison in 2018. His lineup included timeless and newly released hits such as “Hills and Valleys”, “Destiny”, and “Trust” – which has been streamed over 2 million times since its upload to YouTube.
Reggae SumFest 2020
For the first time in its 27-year staging, Reggae SumFest hosted the Caribbean’s largest music festival online. In keeping with the world’s COVID-19 social distancing measures and dealing with international travel restrictions, the Reggae SumFest team curated a virtual two-day lineup in July that featured several renowned Dancehall and Reggae acts.
Streaming live from Facebook and Instagram, the history-making live concert saw stellar, high-energy performances from heavyweights such as Maxi Priest, Freddie McGregor, and Sizzla.
Dancehall mavens Agent Sasco and Ding Dong and newcomers Koffee and Teejay also delivered fantastic highly-anticipated performances to an audience of over 814,000 views on just Facebook alone.
The most memorable extended sets from Night 1 were Teejay’s non-stop 15-minute medley, Ding Dong’s 20-minutes of high-powered dance-deejay performance, and Agent Sasco’s 20-minute closing act.
Night 2 prolonged the greatness of Jamaican music with an outstanding extended performance from Sizzla, who closed the night and the concert’s two-day lineup.
Popcaan – BBC 1Xtra
In the latest live virtual Dancehall performance of 2020, the Unruly King delivered his first live show since the COVID-19 pandemic in a brief act for BBC 1Xtra’s Live 2020 series. Popcaan, backed by a live band, performed an exciting 5-minute set featuring “Numbers Don’t Lie” from his 2019 album, Vanquish, and one of his new 2020 hits, “Buzz”.
The set was particularly memorable not only because of the entertainer’s usual flair and jovial performance but also for his shout out to Reggae musician Chronixx, which he highlighted between songs in reference to Chronixx’s name on the drums played by Hector Lewis of the ZincFence Redemption band. This brief hail has since been regarded as a signal of unity and appreciation between Dancehall and Reggae.
Chronixx – Cool As The Breeze Reggae Concert
Another first was achieved for the Reggae industry in 2020 when Chronixx hosted his first live concert under the name “Cool As The Breeze” in August. As a surprise to his fans, the Grammy-nominated Reggae musician performed several hits including his newest track, “Cool As The Breeze”, and other hits like “Dela Move”, “Spanish Town Rockin’”, and “Skankin’ Sweet“.
Of course, a surprise concert had to have surprise guest artistes who were none other than fellow Reggae entertainers Jesse Royal, Lila Ike, and Kabaka Pyramid. Although he was not present in the flesh, Protoje received a nod from Chronixx when he belted out a few lines from the In.Digg.Nation leader’s recent hit, “Like Royalty”, in the two-hour-long concert that streamed live on Facebook and Instagram.
Freestyle https://t.co/AXN3KRGL1v pic.twitter.com/dVmeLj3VWI
— ChronDadda (@ChronixxMusic) August 10, 2020
Agent Sasco for Sascoustic LIVE
Agent Sasco has possibly become the first Jamaican musician to host a live virtual performance from the comfort of his home studio – and, yes, this too happened in 2020. Although rife with gloom, this year truly challenged Jamaican entertainers to think outside of the box and finally act on the online aspirations they had brewing under their belts.
Sascoustic LIVE, which was streamed from Diamond Studios located within the artiste’s home, was an hour-long performance transmitted via Sasco’s Instagram account and that of Red Stripe – the session’s sponsor. As anticipated, the Dancehall/Reggae entertainer thrilled viewers with renditions of some of his timeless hits like “Winning Now”, “Fade Away” and “Banks of the Hope”.
The session prompted the support of many Jamaican celebrities who chimed in during the performance, such as Alaine, Romain Virgo, Tami Chin, Beenie Man, and Shaggy.
Lila Iké, Sevana, Naomi Cowan & Jaz Elise Rocks And Grooves For BBC 1Xtra
On International Women’s Day in March, BBC Radio 1Xtra DJ Sean B hosted In.Digg.Nation affiliates Lila Iké, Sevana, Naomi Cowan & Jaz Elise for a special jam session that has so far racked up over 3.8 million views on YouTube. The talented ladies performed at Protoje’s Habitat Studios in Kingston where they gave a sizzling rendition of songs on their Rock & Groove Riddim which was released in December last year under the In.Digg.Nation Collective.
The ladies were clearly in their element as they vibed to the band’s playing before Cowan took the lead with her single on the riddim, Peace of Mind. Jaz Elise was next with the title track for the riddim, Rock & Groove, serenading listeners with her smooth vocals and amazing runs. Sevana followed, flowing right in on the beat with her powerful vocals as she sang Haul and Pull. Last to take the mic was Lila Iké who delivered a heartfelt performance of her single, Sweet Inspiration.
Just when you thought the fun was all over, Sevana introduced another song, but this time, it wasn’t an original song but Double Trouble by Beres Hammond. The other talented ladies all contributed to the impromptu moment. Lila Iké sang John Holt and Dennis Brown’s Wild Fire, Jaz Elise delivered another Dennis Brown classic, Have You Ever Been In Love and Naomi Cowan performed a tribute with Melody Life by Marcia Griffiths.
As the performance was winding down, they revisited their original songs on the riddim.
Correction: November 2, 2020
A previous version of this story did not include the In.Digg.Nation virtual performance at Habitat Studios, which we had previously covered in March.