Beenie Man Says He’s “Not 100%” But Ready To Deliver Magic At Rebel Salute

Beenie Man is running through final tweaks and rehearsals, before taking the Rebel Salute stage at Grizzly’s Plantation Cove this Saturday (January 21).  Though his ankle isn’t fully recovered from the bike crash he had last November, the Girls Dem Sugar deejay is determined to show fans a good time.

“I am coming on; it is getting better, though I am not 100 percent. I maybe around 87-89 percent recuperated,” Beenie told The Star.

“We’re getting the tunes together,” he said during a rehearsal session earlier this week.

“Rehearsals are going fine, that’s where we go over what we are performing. But it is the audience that determines how the whole thing goes. There is where you find the real magic, from observing the mood, the vibes, and the energy of the people, and decide on how to bring everyone together,” he continued.

On Instagram yesterday, Beenie tagged Rebel Salute on a clip of a rehearsal session, while tuning his latest single Mankind to live acoustics from his band. The Cigar Records-produced track dropped last week on January 12.

https://www.instagram.com/tv/CniEFSNhz6s/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

In December, the 50-year-old born Anthony Davis canceled upcoming events after a dire diagnosis from his doctor that he was at risk of losing his foot.  

“He has an injury to the right ankle and it is recommended that he stays at home, [and] elevate the foot because if not there is potential of him losing the foot; possibility of amputation is very high,” the doctor had said, in a video shared by Beenie Man.

“So I recommend that he does not travel any long distances, worst by aircraft.”

Beenie is billed to perform on Saturday, January 21, on night-2 of the music festival alongside the likes of Capleton, Sanchez and Josey Wales, Iwayne, IOctane, Echo Minott, Luciano as well as Afrobeats star Stonebwoy.

The Ghanaian artist, who Beenie collaborated with on the track Shuga three years ago, may join his performance.  “Stonebwoy and me performing on the same night, depending on what time he is scheduled to hit the stage maybe we’ll do a performance together,” Beenie said.

Though he’s hopeful for the pair-up with the Activate artist, Beenie said fans should all come and witness everything the night has to offer.  “I don’t have any particular expectations. I don’t give into the idea of expectations and I can’t tell people what they are going to get, but that they should come out and experience the magic,” he said.

“I just know people love music and are coming to ‘full-joy’ themselves, and as long as I see the people I am ready to perform and deliver the music for the people,” he continued.

This year will be Beenie’s third appearance at Rebel Salute, following his 2017 and 2020 performances, but he said his most memorable moment was as a patron.

“Rebel Salute is always my show, one that I always go to. There is no year more special to me than the first year, when Garnett Silk did just come outta di bushes with the locs on him head, and decide him a sing too much righteous tune,” Beenie Man said of the late icon’s return to a stage after taking a hiatus from music.

Rebel Salute; one of Jamaica’s biggest music festivals was pioneered by Reggae veteran Tony Rebel in 1994. The two-day event, which will commence this year through January 20-21, has returned to its home base at the Grizzly’s Plantation Cove in St Ann, after a two-year absence.

Tony Rebel had promised that the January 2023 show would “be the most memorable yet,” now having an artist line-up with more Dancehall acts.

Dancehall heavyweight Bounty Killer will be among the approximately 60 artists in a stellar line-up. Killer’s last performance at Rebel Salute was a well-received half hour set in 2019, but he had also graced the show’s stages in 2014.   

Beenie will continue from Rebel Salute to perform at the Afro Nation Music Festival in Miami, alongside Nigerian headliners Burna Boy and Wizkid, and the Lovers and Friends Fest in Las Vegas, alongside Shaggy and Sean Paul.  

Both events will take place in May 2023, and will mark the first time Beenie performs in the US since September 2015.