Today, October 10, Downsound Records founder Joe Bogdanovich will receive the prestigious International Achievement Award from the American Friends of Jamaica (AFJ) at the 2025 Hummingbird Gala, scheduled for the iconic Plaza Hotel in New York City. The Reggae Sumfest boss will be recognized for his contribution to Jamaica’s culture, the global entertainment landscape, and his philanthropic efforts.
Cultural advocate Jason Henzell, son of “The Harder They Come” film producer Hazel Perry, will receive the International Humanitarian Award.
Bogdanovich’s impact on Jamaica’s entertainment industry is phenomenal. He has helped to revitalize the Reggae Sumfest festival brand. This began in 2016 when his company, DownSound Records, acquired Reggae Sumfest from Summerfest Productions Limited. In fact, this year’s 2025 Reggae Sumfest with Vybz Kartel and R&B hitmaker Toni Braxton was hailed as the biggest in the festival’s three-decade history.
Other career highlights include using the Reggae Sumfest brand to give Jamaican artists an important platform to showcase their talent. He has also used Reggae Sumfest to bring visibility to Jamaica’s tourism brand by drawing global attention to the island’s music and culture. With Reggae Sumfest concert attendees making the trek in droves to Montego Bay from all parts of the globe, it is documented that the festival pumps billions of dollars annually into the Jamaican economy.
Bogdanovich is also passionate about his philanthropic work. He has supported Jamaica’s youth and the creative industries through his DownSound Records Foundation, which has invested in educational and youth-focused programs. In 2021, days after Haiti had been devastated by a major earthquake and a tropical storm, his company donated $5 million to the Food For the Poor Help Haiti Fund. During the COVID-19 pandemic, his Caribbean Love Now Foundation donated over a million dollars to the Ministry of Health and Wellness for COVID-19 relief.
While Bogdanovich has received many awards during his decorated career, the AFJ’s International Achievement Award means a lot to him.
Ahead of the gala, Caribbean National Weekly was given carte blanche access for an exclusive interview with the US-born, Jamaican-based business mogul.
Here are a few of the questions we asked.
1. You have received multiple awards in your career. Why is this one extra special?
I’m always so grateful and humbled to be recognized for my work. This one is special because it represents more than just business success; it’s about impact. The American Friends of Jamaica is an organization that’s deeply rooted in giving back, uplifting communities, and supporting Jamaica’s growth. So, to be recognized by them means the work we’re doing, through music, culture, and philanthropy, is resonating on a higher level. It’s about using entertainment as a bridge to create opportunity, hope, and pride in Jamaica. That’s what makes this award particularly meaningful.
2. What is your biggest accomplishment and why?
My biggest accomplishment is helping to position Jamaica as a global cultural powerhouse, where music, art, and creativity thrive as serious industries. Through Reggae Sumfest, Downsound Entertainment, and partnerships with incredible artists, we’ve been able to create sustainable opportunities that empower others. It’s not just about producing shows; it’s about building platforms that give young Jamaicans a voice and a vision for the future. That’s legacy work.
3. People say Vybz Kartel is Jamaica’s biggest dancehall artist! Is this true?
Kartel is a lyrical genius. He’s one of the most talented and influential artists Jamaica has ever produced. He’s transcended the boundaries of music to become a cultural symbol. His storytelling, his wordplay, his understanding of the streets and the people, it’s all unmatched. He connects with fans on a deeply human level, and that’s what great artists do. They reflect society, challenge norms, and inspire movement.
4. Why has the world gravitated to him so much?
Kartel represents authenticity and resilience. He’s unfiltered, fearless, and constantly evolving. Whether it’s love songs, social commentary, or hard-hitting dancehall anthems, there’s always a layer of genius in his delivery. People see themselves in him. He’s the voice of the people, and that’s universal.
5. The Freedom Street, which you produced at the National Stadium last December, was a career-defining moment for Kartel. Talk about your role in Kartel’s success.
Freedom Street is a project that symbolizes more than a concert; it’s a movement. It’s about restoration, redemption, and reconnection with the fans who’ve stood by him for years. Downsound Entertainment’s role has been to create the right platform for Kartel to showcase his brilliance in a new era of dancehall – one that celebrates the art form, professionalism, and global appeal. We’ve worked to make sure his return is not just historic, but transformational for the industry. It’s about changing the narrative and raising the bar for what’s possible in dancehall.
6. What’s next on the agenda to achieve in dancehall and the music industry for you?
Through our companies, I want to continue building infrastructure, more festivals, more collaborations, and more international exposure for Jamaican artistes. The world is looking to Jamaica for creativity and inspiration, and we have to deliver it in a modern, professional, and scalable way. The goal is to expand Reggae Sumfest’s global footprint, support new talent, and create a year-round ecosystem that keeps Jamaican music at the center of the world stage. The future is about evolution, and we’re just getting started.
7. Jamaica loves Joe Bogdanovich. Why?
Maybe because I love Jamaica just as much, and I show it in everything I do. I’ve always believed in this country, its people, its spirit, its unstoppable energy. Jamaicans can spot authenticity from a mile away, and they know my love for the culture is real. And maybe, just maybe, the good looks and a bit of that boyish charm don’t hurt either. But truthfully, it’s about respect, love, and a shared belief that Jamaica is one of the greatest places on earth. The people feel that energy, and they give it right back.
