Reggae Sumfest Gaza and Gully on One Stage: Vybz Kartel and Mavado Close a One-Night ‘Taste of Reggae Sumfest’ at Plantation Cove
With Catherine Hall still recovering from Hurricane Melissa, Sumfest condensed to a single night in St Ann on Saturday, July 18, 2026. Shortly after 2 a.m. Kartel, in camouflage, and Mavado, in black, revisited their Sting 2008 wardrobe and traded hits for the better part of two hours — Mavado’s first Jamaican show in more than a decade — before closing on their first collaboration, ‘Happiest Days.’
By JamaicansMusic Editorial
Reggae Sumfest Vybz Kartel Crowned King of Dancehall at Reggae Sumfest 2025
Fourteen years after his last Sumfest appearance and a year after walking free, Vybz Kartel closed an hour-long set at Catherine Hall on July 19, 2025 by taking a throne — with Queen of Dancehall Spice placing the crown. Organisers reported a capacity crowd in Montego Bay.
By JamaicansMusic Editorial
Reggae Sumfest Crowned King of Dancehall: Vybz Kartel Takes the Throne at Reggae Sumfest, July 2025
Fourteen years after his last Sumfest appearance and a year after walking free, Kartel closes an hour-long set at Catherine Hall on July 19, 2025 with Spice placing a crown on his head. Organisers report a capacity crowd in Montego Bay.
By JamaicansMusic Editorial
Reggae Sumfest Reggae Sumfest 2024: Lauryn Hill’s Surprise Set With YG Marley, Beres Hints at Goodbye, Babyface Crosses Over and Notorious Wins the Clash
The 31st Sumfest ran July 14–20, 2024 in Montego Bay. Lauryn Hill walked out unannounced during her son YG Marley’s Friday opener; Capleton took a Living Legend Award; Valiant, Jada Kingdom and Kraff never appeared. Saturday brought a reflective Beres Hammond, R&B star Babyface at 2:40 a.m. and a hometown honour for Nigy Boy.
By JamaicansMusic Editorial
Reggae Sumfest Reggae Sumfest 2023: Freddie McGregor’s Comeback, Marion Hall Takes Back Montego Bay and Dynamq Rules the Sound Clash at the 30th Staging
The festival’s pearl anniversary week ran July 16–22, 2023 at Catherine Hall. Teejay opened with ‘Drift,’ Masicka and Valiant owned Dancehall Night, Tommy Lee Sparta closed at 6 a.m., and Saturday brought Freddie McGregor’s first Jamaican show since his stroke, a King Jammy tribute and Minister Marion Hall’s return — with Red Stripe Living Legend Awards for all three.
By JamaicansMusic Editorial
Reggae Sumfest Reggae Sumfest 2022, ‘The Rebirth’: Sold Out in the Rain, With Masicka at Dawn, Beres at 1:47 a.m. and a Dave Kelly Tribute at Sunrise
After a virtual 2020 and no festival in 2021, Reggae Sumfest returned in full to Catherine Hall, Montego Bay, for the week of July 18–23, 2022. A capacity Friday crowd of close to 17,000 rode out lightning and a blackout; Saturday brought Beres Hammond, Koffee, Dexta Daps, a 55-minute Madhouse tribute and Sizzla closing in a downpour at 8:30 a.m.
By JamaicansMusic Editorial
Reggae Sumfest Spice Crowned Queen of Dancehall at Reggae Sumfest 2022
In the early hours of Saturday, July 23, 2022, Reggae Sumfest producer Joe Bogdanovich placed a crown on Grace ‘Spice’ Hamilton at Catherine Hall — the festival’s first Queen of Dancehall coronation since Lady Saw in 2012. Spice used the moment to announce her independent album Emancipated.
By JamaicansMusic Editorial
Reggae Sumfest Live Blog: Reggae Sumfest International Night 2
With a sea of anonymous faces crushing against Reggae Sumfest's International Night 2, the night's performances offered a taste of new cultures and high-octane seductiveness all while exceeding all expectations.
By Biko Kennedy
Reggae Sumfest Live Blog: Reggae Sumfest International Night 1
A night flushed with phenomenal performances while echoing voices of the here and now, Reggae Sumfest's International Nights have alwayswowed it's pulsating crowd with great memories they're sure not to forget anytime soon. Tonight, the first of the two-night staging, we present to you a mere glimpse of how amazing the performances andnight was.
By Biko Kennedy
Reggae Sumfest Live Blog: Reggae Sumfest Dancehall Night
A 'groomer of greats' since its inception, Reggae Sumfest have given Reggae lovers worldwide something other festivals haven't; breath-taking moments that seemingly leaves patrons mystified and yearning for more until the next staging. And tonight as the action takes place we'll be giving you a play-by-play report!
By Biko Kennedy