Photos and text by OKAMAI
After last year’s hurricane damage forced the venue to move from Montego Bay to St. Ann, the festival was also scaled down from its usual seven-day format to a smaller, one-night event titled “A Taste of Sumfest.” Despite the changes, the audience’s passion for Jamaica’s biggest annual festival showed no signs of fading.
At 2:07 a.m., headliners “World Boss” Vybz Kartel and “Gully Gad” Mavado finally appeared onstage. With Boom Boom and Nuffy serving as MCs, mobile phone lights illuminated the entire venue as the crowd tried to capture a moment that many had waited years to witness.
As fireworks exploded above the stage, Kartel appeared in military camouflage, while Mavado wore an all-black leather outfit. Their clothing recalled what they had worn at STING in 2008. The Anger Management Riddim began playing, with Kartel opening the performance before the two artists took turns delivering songs in rapid succession.
The pair embraced, smiled, held hands and struck a pose symbolizing unity. It was a scene that could never have been imagined at STING. Seeing how much both artists had grown over the past 18 years made the moment deeply moving.
Both artists have so many hit songs that the audience could sing along to virtually every track. For around two hours, they performed one popular song after another and kept the crowd completely captivated.
They sang along to each other’s songs, and when the Bluetooth Riddim began playing, Mavado first performed “Squeeze Breast” before passing the moment over to Kartel. Kartel initially did not understand what song Mavado was referring to.
“You have a song on this riddim too,” Mavado told him.
“I don’t remember. Seriously,” Kartel replied.
“A gyal tune!” Mavado said.
“Oh!” Kartel responded, finally remembering, before launching into “Tek Fuck.” The exchange drew plenty of laughter from the audience.
They jokingly negotiated which songs should be performed first and repeatedly referred to each other as “my brother.”
After the hardcore dancehall section, the show moved into a gyal tune segment at 2:47 a.m. Stacious joined Mavado for “Come Into My Room,” while Kartel performed “Virginity” with Gaza Indu.
Mavado also joined Kartel in singing “Thank You Jah.” Kartel changed the lyrics for the occasion, singing, “My brother is standing beside me. Give thanks for life. Big up Mavado.”
At the height of the Gaza-Gully era, the two artists clashed as bitter rivals. Eighteen years later, at “A Taste of Sumfest,” the old wounds appeared to have healed. Two dancehall icons stood together on the same stage, and their former conflict had been transformed into unity.
Fans who had long waited for this moment were treated to a historic performance that surpassed even their greatest expectations.
Earlier in the night, although the lineup was considerably smaller than at a regular Sumfest, several leading figures from Jamaica’s street-dance scene kept the venue energized from the beginning.
They included Boom Boom and Harry Hype, who are associated with major Kingston events such as the weekly Monday party “Uptown Mondays” and “Boom Sundays,” and who currently play almost every day somewhere in Jamaica or overseas. DJ Tom, known for the Wednesday dance “Leggo Di Street,” and Code Red also helped build the atmosphere during the early hours.
Boom Boom’s set was especially impressive. He opened with the national anthem before sending the venue into an uproar with established street anthems such as Kritical’s “Loyalty” and Alkaline’s “After All.”
During Masicka’s “Wacky Dip,” dancers were invited onto the stage, recreating the energy of a real Jamaican street dance on a major festival platform. Fireworks followed, and Boom Boom was later presented with an award by Sumfest.
Gaza family member Shawn Storm also appeared earlier in the night. His performance of “My Life” was greeted by loud cheers and the sound of vuvuzelas throughout the crowd.
Popular street dancer Shelly Belly also joined him onstage, wearing an outfit even more extravagant than Shawn Storm’s and adding further excitement through his dancing.
Other well-known dancers also played an important role. During performances by 1990s artist Harry Toddler and Jamal, Get There Squad appeared with their signature pressure-cooker dance routine. In other words, Sumfest also offered the audience a genuine taste of Jamaican street-dance culture.
Twenty-one-year-old Montego Bay artist Ayetian, who calls himself “Mr. Caribbean,” made a confident Sumfest debut. Despite his young age, he has already toured around 40 countries and received nominations for seven awards. He also performed his hit songs “Balance” and “Wah Yo De Pon.”
Aside from the main headline performance, many people described Queen Ifrica’s appearance as the best show of Sumfest.
She performed “Serve and Protect,” “Keep It Yourself,” “Daddy” and “Lioness On The Rise.” Her powerful messages addressing political corruption in Jamaica and the future of the country’s children, combined with her commanding stage presence, drew an enormous response from the audience.
Montego Bay artist Jamal returned to Sumfest for the first time in two years. He performed a succession of hit songs, including “Faada,” “Never Give Up,” “Ballandor” and “Millions.” Throughout his performance, he repeatedly shouted his nickname, “Three Nine!”
With Boom Boom and DJ Mac, who will begin a five-date Japan tour on September 20! See you at the shows!