History Of Reggae Sumfest
How The Best Reggae Show On Earth Started

History of Reggae Sumfest

By Venesha Johnson | Associate Writer

For some of us, it seems like Reggae Sumfest has been about forever. It is deemed the greatest reggae show on earth and rightly so! While we know the show for what it is today, like me, you may have questions as to where it all started and how it journeyed to become the masterpiece that it is today.

When Did Reggae Sumfest Start?

I was recently asked if Reggae Sumfest is the same festival as Reggae Sunsplash. And while they are two separate events, in some ways they are historically tied together. Reggae Sunsplash was once a popular musical event that captivated audiences from all over. It started in 1978 and had a great run for several years before it started to decline in popularity in the early 1990s after the show was relocated from its original stage in Montego Bay.

This is where the founders of Reggae Sumfest, who were Montegonian businessmen, stepped in and decided to leverage the void left by Sunsplash by creating their own show, Reggae Sumfest. They didn't just organize a show, instead, they pretty much followed the format of Reggae Sunsplash by featuring themed nights that catered to diverse musical tastes. The very first festival took place from August 11-14, 1993, at the then Bob Marley Entertainment Centre in Catherine Hall, Montego Bay.

For the first staging of the festival, Roots and Culture Night kicked off the festivities, showcasing legendary reggae acts like Bunny Wailer and Sugar Minott. Dancehall Night, a highlight of the festival, soon became synonymous with energetic performances from dancehall icons such as Bounty Killer and Lady Saw. Singers/International Night closed out the event with a mix of reggae legends and international stars like Barrington Levy and Naughty by Nature.

Reggae Sumfest Continued to Grow

Over the years, Reggae Sumfest has grown exponentially, not just on a scale based on the number of patrons but also prestige. Its lineup over the years expanded to include not only reggae but also jazz, hip-hop, pop, and rhythm and blues artists. There was even a time when International Nights, which was once a single evening, evolved into two distinct nights featuring top-tier global artists like Alicia Keys, Nicki Minaj, Snoop Dogg, and Rihanna, who graced the stage with electrifying performances that resonated with audiences worldwide.

With Montego Bay being a tourist capital with its stunning beaches and lively nightlife, it was the perfect location to draw in visitors to the festival and soon they started seeing patrons from across continents—from Africa to Europe, Japan to the USA—who converged annually to celebrate music and culture in the heart of the Caribbean, Jamaica.

Major Milestones and Controversies

Throughout its history, Reggae Sumfest has been a platform for both musical excellence and cultural commentary. We saw artists like Lady Saw pushing boundaries with provocative performances that challenged societal norms, while controversies over lyrical content underscored ongoing debates about artistic expression and censorship in Jamaica. However, despite occasional legal challenges over onstage behaviour, Reggae Sumfest continued to evolve, and grow, cementing it;’s place in Jamaica's culture and history.

Reggae Sumfest hasn’t just contributed to our culture over the years, it has also become a vital economic engine for Jamaica, generating substantial revenue and supporting local businesses and tourism.

Reggae Sumfest is now under the stewardship of well-known Jamaican producer and businessman Joseph Bogdanovich, owner of Downsound Entertainment. They have brought Sumfest up to date with modern innovations like live streaming, so people from all over the world can watch the night’s performances, even when they are miles away.

Reggae Sumfest has become a part of our Jamaican identity, with people travelling from all over the world just to participate in the festivities. It showcases just how talented our people are and is a great depiction of what is at the heart of Jamaica, our people and our music.

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References & Sources For History Of Reggae Sumfest

1. 30 years of Reggae Sumfest – Part I. (2023, August 8). Entertainment | Jamaica Gleaner. https://jamaica-gleaner.com/article/entertainment/20230723/30-years-reggae-sumfest-part-i
2. Reggae Sumfest 2024 - The Tryall Club, Jamaica. (2024, July 8). The Tryall Club, Jamaica. https://tryallclub.com/blog/reggae-sumfest/#:~:text=The%20festival's%20history%20dates%20back,the%20cultural%20fabric%20of%20Jamaica

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