Words by Rob Kenner - After a historic Dancehall Night at
Reggae Sumfest, Jamaica's leading reggae festival—and a platform for top
international stars from Jay-Z, Weezy, and 50, to Beyoncé, Mary, and Lionel Richie—Usher Raymond
appeared at a press conference at Montego Bay's luxurious Iberostar
Hotel. Sharing his love for Jamaican music and culture, and warned the
Sumfest crowd to get themselves ready for something special. He has a
tough act to follow.
Thursday's (July 22) dancehall night is being hailed as one of the greatest in the festival's 17-year history, with stellar performances by Bounty Killer, Mavado, and Vybz Kartel, who put aside their Gully versus Gaza lyrical feuds to urge Jamaican people to come together in the wake of recent violence and civil unrest that have cast a negative light on the popular vacation destination that is also the birthplace of reggae music.
"We need to go from a state of emergency to a state of urgency," said Bounty Killer, who was honored onstage by Sumfest promoters for his contributions to Jamaican music.
"Jamaica as a country still, we fi unite, and cool offa certain war, certain crime, and certain violence" added Kartel, who took the stage an orange "Jail Bird” outfit and handcuffs. "So we nice as a nation and unite, a so we fi unite pon we ends, inna the garrison, round the lane, pon the Gully, pon the Gaza, pon the plaza."
"I feel privileged to be a part of this incredible festival that highlights not only Jamaican music but also your culture," said Usher, seated alongside the Jamaican reggae/soul singer Gramps Morgan and representatives of Reggae Sumfest, the Jamaica Tourist Board, and sponsors like Digicel, Red Stripe, and Wisynco. "I'm glad to be able to be here to share a little bit of our musical culture from America."
Although a passing tropical storm brought thunder, lightning and occasional showers, a bit of mud did not dampen the spirits of the Sumfest crowd, which turned out in great numbers on all three nights, including International Night 2, which featured Gyptian performing his worldwide smash “Hold Yuh” and Chris Brown, who electrified the Montego Bay massive with his catalog of hits and his familiarity with the latest Jamaican dancehall steps. The Jamaican crooner Jah Cure shifted the vibes to a romantic rootsy feel, showcasing romantic duet “Call On Me,” their voices blending seamlessly in the warm night air. Queen Ifrica’s fearless set—filled with incendiary social criticism—was followed by a masterful closing performance by veteran DJ Tony Rebel, whose catalog never seems to get old.
"I hate that the weather is looking the way it is but it's gonna be an incredible mashup no matter what,” said Usher of his closing night performance. “I hope you guys are ready for it. This is my first time being at Sumfest, I plan on making this show one of a kind for my audience tomorrow. I'm sharing the stage with some incredible performers and I'm looking forward to seeing some of the other performers as well. But I'm truly happy to be able to come to perform for my Jamaican fans and be a part of this incredible culture."
When asked if he planned any future reggae collaborations the R&B superstar who famously incorporated Jamaican dances like the Thunderclap and the Rockaway into his smash video "Yeah" said he was open: "Of course. The influence is obvious. It can be heard it in my music if you hear songs like "Pull Up" on my most recent album. I think the combination of reggae and hip hop is beautiful. It's a chemistry that has worked for many years. The attitude is there. The attitude of reggae music sticks out over everything, and the resiliency in the message, as well as the energy from the sound of the rhythm that comes through the drums and the guitars and the keys etc. It's like a ritual almost when I hear reggae music. And you know hip hop has attitude as well and together they can make a great marriage. As long as I'm able to sing and dance and perform I'm gonna entertain people whether it's R&B, hip hop, reggae, whatever," he said, adding. "I've always considered myself somewhat of an honorary Jamaican. That's why you always hear me say 'Yeah man.' So I'm coming home."
Despite Usher’s fair warning, few could have imagined the night that lay ahead during International Night 2. After stirring performances by newcomer Romain Virgo and the soulful vocal stylings of Gramps Morgan, Shaggy took the stage and blazed through his catalog of international smash hits from “Mr. Boombastic” to “Angel.” Then it was time for Usher, who opened his set with “Caught Up” and never looked back, delivering a flawlessly choreographed tour de force complete with state of the art lighting and amazingly skilled troupe of backup dancers. But he soon one-upped himself.
By the time Usher started saying “Lick a shot Gully God lick a shot,” it was clear something was up. Then Mavado stampeded onstage taking the crowd to higher heights of excitement with hits like “So Special.” But the surprises weren’t finished. Usher brought out Elephant Man and then walked to stage left and brought out Chris Brown. When Elephant had two reigning R&B and dance champions doing the “Nuh Linga” and the “Gully Creeper” the crowd quite simply went berserk. Although Elephant Man went as far as to hand Chris Brown a mic and implored him to “sing something for the girls dem,” Elly did his best to tampe down any talk of a battle. “This is unity, this is love. Usher and Chris Brown, trust me. Jamaican live you like them life.” Fortunately Usher saved his latest smash “OMG” for last, and he needed it sustain the crowd’s energy after a triple play like that.
The task of following Usher’s performance fell to Tarrus Riley, the foremost of Jamaica’s new roots singers. He had the crowd in his grasp from his opening number “Lion Paw” and when he was finished, his musical director Dean Fraser led his band through a tribute to the late great Sugar Minott. After that it was all about Beenie Man the Doctor, who ran thrilled the crowd with his new banger “Rum and Red Bull” then delivered the final gesure of unity at Sumfest 2010: he shared the stage with his once-estranged wife D’Angel, who has become a star in her own right in recent years. Like Bob Marley said, it’s all about “One Love.”
