“You know something? I am not sure how many more of these conferences— I call it a conference because we come together, you know— I am going to have with you. Yeah, because… I wish there would have been many more, but that’s how it goes, you know,” Beres Hammond said during his 45-minute set at Reggae Sumfest 2024 before going into his hit “Step Aside.”
The 68-year-old veteran lovers rock artist’s uncertainty as a performer comes after more than 50 years in the business. He went on to say, “Every time I come up here on the stage, I have always tried to give you the best of me, every single time, barring none.”
Hammond entered the stage at 1:14 AM, an hour after his scheduled 12:09 time, and ahead of Babyface, who according to the running order was scheduled to perform at 12:59 AM.
The “Warriors Don’t Cry” artist gave the Sumfest crowd some history lessons, reminding them of his first solo hit “One Step Ahead,” released in 1976.
Throughout his abbreviated performance, the VP Records artist was in a contemplative mood, pausing at intervals to connect with the audience. “These are some rare occasions for me because as a grown man I never thought I would reach this point. But because of your love and the energy that you give, thank you, brand Jamaica.”
After wining a talent contest in in 1972, Hammond recorded his first song “The Wanderer (Hard to Believe),” before joining the Zap Pow group as lead singer in 1975 and left in 1979.
Born in Annotto Bay, St. Mary Jamaica, Beres has 19 studio albums, but he estimates it at over 30 including compilations, most of which were released by VP Records with whom he started his relationship in 1985 with he released of Beres Hammond.
Hammond told Billboard in 2018 that he has never received a Grammy award (or hit the Billboard Hot 100), his relationship with his fans gives him fulfillment.
“I’ve never gotten a Grammy but what the people have given me over so many years, I don’t know if a Grammy could make me feel that way,” says the Rockaway singer. “I’ve met people who say Beres, I got together with my wife and we started a family listening to your songs. People who’ve been suicidal have told me my music was their therapy, and people who got into trouble changed their way of life because of listening to my lyrics. I just want to keep making good music that strikes a positive chord. I don’t sing for charts, I sing for hearts.”
Following his Sumfest 2024 performance Beres has a full summer schedule beginning in Toronto on July 27 and culminating in a double performance on August 24 and 25 at the Broward Center For The Performing Arts in Fort Lauderdale Florida.
Still on Reggae Sumfest 2024, following Hammond’s interactive set at Sumfest, 12-time Grammy award winner Babyface, who ordered no press photos or videos to be taken while he was performing, entered the stage at 2:40 AM with a full band and a catalog of hits. The crowd received him well as he went through songs like “Whip Appeal” and “Every Time I Close My Eyes.”
Babyface also sang songs he wrote for other artists like TLC, Dru Hill, and Karyn White’s “Superwoman.” As soon as he was done performing his well rehearsed set with three male back up singers, he exited the stage and was escorted by the police back to his hotel in two suburban vans.
The remainder of the morning’s performances included D’Yani, who brought a bubble bath and dancers on stage, Norris Man, and Luciano, who closed the morning for Reggae Sumfest 2024.
