February is Reggae Month, and the Jamaica Reggae Industry Association (JaRIA) has announced a vibrant lineup of activities to honor the genre, its pioneers, and its global influence.
Starting February 1, the month-long celebration will feature concerts, panel discussions, and workshops aimed at showcasing reggae’s cultural significance and contributions.
JaRIA Chairman Ewan Simpson emphasized that Reggae Month is more than a tribute to music. “It’s a celebration of an ecosystem—of the people, the legends, and the culture that reggae has fostered globally,” he said.
The festivities begin with a tribute to Dennis Emmanuel Brown, the “Crown Prince of Reggae,” who would have turned 68 on February 1. The event, in collaboration with the Dennis Brown Foundation, will take place at the UDC Festival Marketplace on Kingston’s waterfront. It will feature live performances by Lloyd Parks and We the People Band, family members of the late icon, and other artists. “We’re bringing the celebration to downtown Kingston, the community Dennis Brown hailed from,” Simpson noted.
In addition to performances, the evening will include clips and excerpts of Brown’s work, as well as food and fashion reflecting Jamaica’s rich cultural heritage. “The show will be a spectacular celebration,” Simpson promised, noting it will run from 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.
Simpson also highlighted February’s dual significance as Black History Month, creating a synergy between the global recognition of black excellence and reggae’s role in promoting equal rights and justice. “Reggae is Jamaica’s gift to the world in our fight for global justice,” he said.
Other key events on February 1 include the Essence of Reggae Festival at the Ranny Williams Entertainment Centre, with performances by artists like I Wayne, Yaksta, Tanya Stephens, and Lutan Fyah.
Beyond Jamaica, the celebration extends to the diaspora. Activities in New York, facilitated by the Shoot for the Stars foundation, will engage communities in the state.
In South Florida, JaRIA has partnered with reggae icons Inner Circle for events in Miami. The band, known as the “Bad Boys of Reggae,” will host a special event honoring Rohan Marley, Ky-Mani Marley, and members of Toots and The Maytals on Wednesday, January 29.
“Reggae Month has always been a collaborative effort between JaRIA and the Government to celebrate our entertainment culture,” Simpson concluded. With a packed schedule and international participation, the celebrations are set to showcase the enduring power and legacy of reggae music.
