Thousands of Reggae music lovers will converge on Jamaica’s tourist capital Montego Bay for the annual staging of Reggae Sumfest. Now in its 21st year, the musical festival to be held July 21-27 has attracted a star studded line up of Jamaican Reggae and dancehall acts, with headliners Grammy award winning singer and songwriter Miguel and rapper Flo Rida.

Flo Rida will share the stage with Jamaican greats Beres Hammond and Barrington Levy on Friday, July 26. For the festival’s closing night on Saturday, July 27, Miguel will join fellow Grammy award winning artiste Damian ‘Jr. Gong’ Marley along with chart-topping Jamaican Reggae performers Romain Virgo and Chronixx.

Miguel and Flo Rida join a growing list of US-based singers who have performed at the event, billed by organizers as the “World’s Greatest Reggae Show on Earth.” Past headliners have included Usher, Chris Brown, Nicki Minaj, Trey Songz, R. Kelly, T-Pain and Ne-Yo.

“People from around the world love reggae music,” said John Lynch, Jamaica’s Director of Tourism. “For many of them Reggae was their introduction to the Jamaican culture. There are
many countries that have embraced the music and are now forming reggae groups in their respective homelands. We welcome the proliferation of our music, but nothing compares to experiencing a reggae festival in Jamaica, the birthplace of this genre. You really do have to experience it at least once in your lifetime.”

The weeklong festival which will take place at Catherine Hall in Montego Bay, kicks off with a Beach party on July 21. The popular Dancehall Night takes place on July 25 with International Nights 1 and 2, slated for July 26 – 27. Ja

Jamaica Tourist Board, www.visitjamaica.com