Among the many reggae festivals across North America, Europe and other parts of the world, Reggae SumFest is the world’s premier annual live event for reggae music and it has been on a two year hiatus since 2020 due to the pandemic. Night 1 saw the dancehall newcomers representing their era with excitement and flair. Hardcore acts like Masicka, Aidonia, Shenseea, Govanna, Skeng and Jahshii represented well for themselves by registering engaging performances and confirming that dancehall is growing. Their crowd control removed any doubt that dancehall youngsters are here to stay.
Spice gave a stellar performance and took home her crown as Queen Of The Dancehall after a two year delay. She said, “I am elated, I a humbled as well, I am super happy, that they at least recognize to how much I have given to the stage of Reggae Sumfest, not only the staging of Reggae Sumfest but dancehall the genre, as a woman you know that’s difficult.”
Spice said her plan is to please the fans.
“The game plan was please the fans and i feel like i did just that, I am always just going to go above and beyond to make sure they go home with something, they come out to see something, I am excited when I hear people say ‘me cyah wait fi see weh Spice a come wid.”
Other acts like Ding Dong and Laalee gave high energy performances with dancers and constant crowd engagement.
Dubbed the greatest reggae show on Earth, Reggae Sumfest Night 2 had a stellar line up of all star reggae greats. Christopher Martin and Dexter Daps played along for the women with a string of hits and Chris was shirtless by the end of his presentation. Singer Shaniel Muir stood out with her fashion and lyrical dexterity and is definitely one to watch.
Sumfest favourite Beres Hammond gave a masterful performance of lovers rock hits along with his Harmony House band. Beres says he has only missed 5 stagings of Reggae Sumfest since its first staging.
Koffee’s set was commendable as she performed songs from her new album Gifted, but crowd favourites were her YouTube hits “Toast” and “Lockdown.”
The highest point of the night was the Dave Kelly tribute which was noticeable done without a female deejay although Dave produced songs for many women including Tanya Stephens, Lady Saw, Lady G and Miss Ting.
The tribute featured King Of The Dancehall Beenie Man who changed three times during the set, Cham. Bounty Killer, Spragga Benz, Mr. Easy, Frisco Kid, and Wayne Wonder. The dancehall legends delivered hits after hits produced by the reclusive Kelly who left many disappointed by not making an appearance at his own tribute. In the 1990s and early 2000s Kelly reigned supreme in dancehall and is responsible for crafting the sound of the era. An on screen intro featuring Buju Banton, Delano of Renaissance Sound, Tanya Stephens and more was played before the performance.
Baby Cham lamented about the disorganization of the festival and urge Jamaicans in general to be more professional. Patrons complained that the band changes were too long, sometimes going over an hour. Cham said the tribute was scheduled to be at 2:00 am but they took to the stage at 6:00 am.
By the time the closing act Sizzla took to the stage using the Ruff Cut band, it was 7:00 am and be brought with him the Sunday morning rains. This didn’t stop Sizzla from showering eager fans with hits who braved the weather to experience SumFest 2022’s to the very end.
Sizzla started out with some roots rock reggae then transitioned into a high energy performance despite the sparse crowd with hits like ‘Dry Cry’, ‘Gimme A Try’ and “Rise To The Occasion’. At one point the singjay was serenaded by a flock of women dancers
Reggae Sumfest came to a close shortly after 8:00 am.
The festival was launched in 1993, shortly after Reggae Sunsplash ended its first run.
