Sumfest set to blaze

SUMMERFEST PRODUCTIONS, the promoters of Red Stripe Reggae Sumfest, has promised another exciting and entertaining showcase of reggae and dancehall music this side of the hemisphere. The festival has been called Jamaica's best and the world's greatest reggae show, and Summerfest intends to live up to that reputation.

RIHANNA

The show which will, this year be a week of activities, will begin on Sunday, July 16, with Vibes Island when seven sound systems collide at a beer inclusive party on the beach and the 'Reggae on the Runway' fashion show. The vibe will continue with Mad Monday MoBay Street Jam with top Jamaican selectors from Firelinks, Swatch and Pure PLayazz at the controls on Monday, July 17. Wednesday will bring the pioneers of dancehall and reggae to the fore, with the festival's 'Top Ranking' night. Originators the likes of Yellowman, Pinchers, Josey Wales, Franky Paul and General Trees will thrill the audience with hits of yesteryear.

'Stormfront', the explosive dancehall night, is supposed to be the biggest one yet with the highly anticipated return of Beenie Man and Bounty Killa on Thursday, July 20. In addition to these will be Baby Cham, Macka Diamond, Aidonia, Capleton, Wayne Marshall, Busy Signal and Elephant Man.

Jomo Cato, director of marketing for Summerfest Productions, said that reggae and dancehall have always been intrinsic to the festival and this year we are reinforcing that.

IGNITION

"Reggae and dancehall music are at the very heart of Red Stripe Reggae Sumfest. The inclusion of the Top Ranking night where we showcase the greats of reggae and dancehall music demonstrates this. Dancehall night, which is an extremely big night for us, will show off new and established talent in the music industry today," Mr. Cato pointed out.

Montego Bay, the Vibes City, will ignite with some of the most entertaining stars in the world including Jamaica's own Sizzla during 'Ignition' on Friday night. Ignition will be headlined by rap sensation, 50 cent, and will also feature Lloyd Banks Lady Saw, Vegas, Mase, Jovi Rockwell and Germany's international reggae star Gentleman.

Red Stripe, title sponsors for the event, deliberately increased its sponsorship of the evnt this year to facilitate the signing of the rap mogul 50 cent and Missy Elliott.

"Red Stripe is responsible for bringing 50 Cent and Missy Elliott to Jamaica for Red Stripe Reggae Sumfest," Carlo Redwood, marketing manager, Red Stripe stated. "Our decision to push for their inclusion in the line-up this year grew out of our commitment to make this reggae show, the world's greatest and Jamaica's best. We thought that by including these stars, who many Jamaicans admire and love, would only add to the explosive talent at this years showing."

The festival will close with the 'Summit' on Saturday, July 22, with a line up of top performers including Bajan sensation Rihanna who will come armed with a slew of hits and number one songs including the current Billboard hit SOS, Beres Hammond, Buju Banton and Taurus Riley. The headline act for this nights' event will be none other than, Damian ' Junior Gong' Marley who will set the Red Stripe Reggae Sumfest ablaze with his mega hits.

Fans have already begun gearing up to soak up the offerings come July. Artistes such as Damian Marley, Sizzla, 50 cent, Gentleman and Rihanna can only be seen at Red Stripe Reggae Sumfest