Grammy winning R&B superstar Kenneth Babyface Edmonds will be the headliner at Reggae Sumfest 2024. The announcement was made on Thursday December 14 by the Sumfest social media pages.
This will be the first concert in Jamaica for the Whip Appeal singer since 2010 when he performed for over 2000 patrons at the United Way charity concert on November 11 alongside Diana King and Nomaddz at the National Indoor Sport Center.
Throughout his illustrious career, Babyface has authored and produced an impressive repertoire of 26 number-one R&B hits and has 12 Grammy Awards.
Edmonds, got the moniker “Babyface” by funk performer Bootsy Collins due to his everlasting youthful appearance and started his musical journey as a guitarist with the group Manchild.
His early breakthrough as a songwriter for other artists materialized with the composition of “Slow Jam” for the R&B band Midnight Star in 1983 from the double-platinum album, “No Parking on the Dance Floor.”
From the late 1980s to the early 90s, Babyface pen game and production gave life to the careers of Bobby Brown, Karyn White, Pebbles, The Whispers, and more. In 1989, he co-founded LaFace Records with L.A. Reid, which started the careers of TLC, Usher, and Toni Braxton.
TLC’s album “CrazySexyCool,” the best-selling album by an American girl group and under his guidance, TLC achieved global sales of over 60 million albums. He also significantly contributed to Toni Braxton’s successful early albums.
Babyface’s extensive resume also includes working with Whitney Houston, Boyz II Men, Madonna, and Eric Clapton. He received three consecutive Grammy Awards for Producer of the Year from 1996 to 1998.
Ashanti, Lil Wayne, Monica, and Ariana Grande have all been helped by his talent. His versatility extended to collaborations with Barbra Streisand, Foxes, and contributing to the song “Stronger Together,” performed by Jessica Sanchez at the 2016 Democratic National Convention.
Throughout his career, Babyface has consistently demonstrated his prowess as a versatile and influential figure in the music industry, leaving an indelible mark on a wide range of genres and artists.
Among his personal hits are Everytime I Close My Eyes, When Can I See You, Never Keep Secrets, and Nobody Knows It But Me.
Beres Hammond and Bounty Killer will also be performing at Sumfest 2024. The latter will be awarded at the Festival scheduled for July 14-20 2024 at Catherine Hall Montego Bay.
