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Reggae Sumfest will honour some of reggae’s most revered icons during Festival Night Two on Saturday, July 19. The special tribute segment, dubbed Tribute to the Legends, will celebrate the timeless contributions of the late Gregory Isaacs, Dennis Brown, Jimmy Riley, and Cocoa Tea, four pioneers whose voices helped shape the soundscape of Jamaican music.
According to Josef Bogdanovich, chief executive officer of Downsound Entertainment and executive producer of Reggae Sumfest, this tribute is a deeply personal and highly anticipated moment on this year’s line-up.
“Each year we do something special, and this year is no different,” said Bogdanovich. “During Tarrus Riley’s set, we’ll be honouring Jimmy Riley; Cocoa Tea, who we just lost; Gregory Isaacs; and Dennis Brown. Terence Wallen will perform Gregory Isaacs’s songs, and Chester Miller will take on Dennis Brown’s classics. Chester just lit up London recently and had the whole town talking, so we’re excited to see him do even better in Montego Bay. This tribute is a big deal for us.”
The segment takes on even deeper significance as it falls just days after what would have been Gregory Isaacs’s 75th birthday, adding emotional weight to an already momentous occasion.
The tribute underscores Reggae Sumfest’s ongoing commitment to celebrating the legends while also showcasing the enduring power of the genre to unite generations.
“I want you all to come and witness this,” Bogdanovich added. “It’s going to be joyous and special.”
Bogdanovich further emphasised the global influence of reggae and dancehall music, noting that annual tributes such as this one play a critical role in preserving Jamaica’s cultural identity and educating the public about its worldwide impact.
“Our music is key to how people see us globally. It’s important that we bring this kind of music to the international stage to remind the world – and ourselves – that reggae and dancehall are massive,” he said.
For Tarrus ‘Singy Singy’ Riley, who will lead the tribute performance, the moment is deeply personal. His father, the late Jimmy Riley, is one of the icons being honoured.
“It’s a unity project. Sumfest and Tarrus Riley, because we are one,” he said. “It’s our music, our people, our festival. ‘Happy’ is an understatement.”
Reflecting on his first introduction to Reggae Sumfest as a child, Riley shared that his father took him to the festival, an experience that left a lasting impression.
“Mi first experience wid Sumfest as a likkle yute, a mi father carry mi, and yuh don’t forget those moments. That’s real legacy, and now I get to pay tribute to him on that same stage.”
Known for his unmatched energy and a catalogue of enduring hits, including She’s Royal, Contagious, and Gimme Likkle One Drop, Riley promised fans a fiery performance.
“Is ‘Singy Singy’, so unu done know how that go. It’s been nine years since my last Sumfest performance. We’ve been out inna di world flying di flag, but now mi deh yah with even more hits. There is no festival like our festival.”
Festival Night Two will be a celebration of reggae’s rich legacy and promises an unforgettable experience for fans from Jamaica and around the world. With powerful performances, heartfelt tributes, and a spirit of unity, Reggae Sumfest 2025 aims to continue its mission of honouring the past while elevating the future of Jamaican music.
Wallen, who will pay tribute to Gregory Isaacs, shared the emotional significance of the moment:
“It actually means everything to me to pay homage to such an icon. I’m one of Gregory Isaacs’s biggest fans. I [have] been doing Gregory Isaacs’s tribute for quite some years now, and to be able to represent him in a way the world has been receptive to, the industry has been receptive to, it’s legendary. It’s big shoes to fill, and so to be able to do this on such an iconic stage, it’s truly an amazing opportunity. I’m going to give it 110 per cent and more.”
Miller, who will honour Dennis Brown, echoed the sentiment:
“It means the world to me to be able to pay tribute to this icon who has paved the way for many artistes such as myself, and to even be considered to represent this legend and his legacy is paramount! So I can only hope that I can do his legacy justice. Big ups to Robert Livingston, Joe Bogdanovich, and Tarrus Riley and his band for having me be a part of this magical night.”
English (US) ·