For the first time ever, three distinct Caribbean reggae and dancehall-centered music festivals will headline Memorial Day Weekend in South Florida—marking a historic moment for the culture and the industry at large.
Masicka will take the stage at Umbrella Brunch in Miramar on Saturday, May 24. On Sunday, Bayfront Park in Miami hosts Best of the Best, featuring dancehall heavyweights Buju Banton, Chronic Law, and 450 alongside reggae greats Marcia Griffiths and Beres Hammond. Monday brings Sandz Caribbean Music Festival to life with Alkaline headlining, rounding out a powerhouse lineup that spans genres and generations.
According to Okice Davis, chairman of Umbrella Brunch, “This is history in real time. For the first time, South Florida is getting three individual shows, all starring some of the biggest artists in dancehall—Masicka, Buju, 450, Chronic Law, Alkaline—each doing separate events, all in the same weekend, same city.”
Davis emphasized the cultural significance: “This level of excitement, this kind of energy? It’s never happened before for Memorial Weekend in South Florida. We’re not just throwing events—we’re creating a wave, pushing Caribbean culture into the mainstream conversation in the U.S.”
“We have been evolving for quite some time,” Buju Banton said at the launch of Best Of The Best. “We now know why our music was kept in a certain box, but we keep pushing forward… If there is an opening, we need to seize that opening. There is a great breakthrough, and our productions must be improved.”
A week before memorial weekend Vybz Kartel headlines the Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise following the success of two sold out shows on New York’s Barclays.
Okice credited the rise of artists like Vybz Kartel for building international interest in dancehall and paving the way for the genre’s current momentum. “Vybz Kartel laid the groundwork, and now artists like Masicka and Alkaline are pushing it forward,” he said. “This is the result of years of groundwork being done—not overnight hype.”
The artists set to headline in Florida this May bring a distinct dancehall sound that remains true to its roots—not a hybrid or pop version. According to Buju, that’s where the next generation’s focus should be.
“The next generation of musicians have to understand that dancehall is authentic,” Buju said.
Beyond music, the events also hold commercial weight. “This is the first time we’ve seen such heavy brand interest tied to Caribbean-led festivals during this weekend,” Davis said, noting partnerships with city officials and regional sponsors.
As Davis put it, “Dancehall time now. The culture isn’t on the rise—it’s already here. South Florida 2025 proves that.”
Adding to the moment, Carlton Davy, chairman of Sandz Caribbean Music Festival, noted: “It’s something that dancehall has always been doing but the stars are just aligned perfectly—with the Bounty Killer pending, with the Kartel show(s) that happened in New York, with the Alkaline show that happened in the U.K. It’s a very good time for dancehall at the moment and for events across the diaspora. Memorial Monday is going to be something special.”
Best Of The Best took a break for 5 years and this year will be its 19th staging. The festival took a break because of the pandemic and the lack of headline acts who had visa to performing in the U.S.
“Right now its about reigniting that passion of Best of the Best. This is something that means a lot, not only to the Jamaican community but the Haitian community and the diaspora in general. You get soca, little dancehall you get reggae and its a whole package that one can be entertainment and see the different music that comes from the Caribbean.
