Jada Kingdom On Why She Backed Out Of Sumfest: ‘I’m Not Interested In Bangarang’
After news broke earlier this week that Ishawna had replaced Jada Kingdom for the upcoming staging of Reggae Sumfest, the #GPP singer has explained her reason for backing out of the show.
Kingdom, in a recent Instagram Live, disclosed that she hadn’t spoken directly to the team of the Joe Bogdanovich-led event but was told that they wanted to change the date and time of her performance. The revised schedule would have her take the stage on July 22 rather than the previously planned July 23, and at a questionable timeslot, according to her.
“The truth is, I didn’t talk to them personally myself but all of a sudden they want to change my date, hold up, they want to change my date to the 22, after I’ve already been booked for the 23, and they want me to perform at a certain time,” she said. “So me put the puzzle together, I’m like ‘Oh’, dem want start some bangarang weh me just nuh interested inna.”
Among the acts slated to perform on July 22 are: Shenseea, Spice, Alkaline, Masicka, Skeng, Intence and Govana, while Beres Hammond, Sizzla Kalonji, Koffee, and Dexta Daps are among those taking the stage on July 23.
Kingdom revealed that the change would have also interrupted plans of how she wanted to do her set. Instead of disputing the issue, however, she decided to walk away from performing at the show.
“Next thing you know, mi end up a prison, leave me alone. ‘Cause why the fvck would you want me to perform on the 22 at a ‘certain time’ … get the fvck outta here,” she continued venting on the live.
This week, Bogdanovich revealed the switch to Ishawna was “a good look,” for the festival, especially since the singer had just released her mega collaboration with Ed Sheeran titled Brace It.
At the time Bogdanovich didn’t provide the reasons for the trade but hinted that Ishawna was a “stable” alternative to Jada. “She [Ishawna] was awesome and she’s stable; that’s helpful,” he said. Instead of focusing on Jada backing out, he said, “What’s more important is who’s been added to the show.”
The 2022 staging of Reggae Sumfest, dubbed The Return will commence on July 18 through July 23 in Montego Bay, Jamaica. Bogdanovich shared that preparations are going well, and he is confident that it will be a “great, great festival”. Activities include an All White Blitz party, A Sound System Explosion, Beach Party, and the main concerts.
As for the safety protocols, Joe added, “It’ll be a lot safer. We’re working on great service, getting people to really enjoy themselves, not being overpacked. We’re abiding by the 70 percent protocol and having a reduction in the number of people there. We’ve expanded the venue by probably another 4,000 to 5,000 people, so it’s more room, and the production is gonna be just absolutely mad.”