Summertime in Jamaica is unrivalled. The tiny island’s shores are always open, but during the especially sunny months millions from around the world flock to the nation to experience its beaches and rich culture.
As of May 10th, Jamaica welcomed over 1.5 million tourists looking to escape to the land of reggae and adventure. Among that 1.5 million are some illustrious names. Artistes at the top of their craft and world leaders looking to rest and recharge.
Here are a few of the celebrities that stopped by Jamaica this summer.
Burna Boy
The “African Giant” is one of the biggest stars on the planet and made his 2nd trip to the island in under a year. Burna Boy, legal name Damini Ebunoluwa Ogulu, is one of the biggest African artists on the planet and was welcomed by a steelpan band that he could not help but dance to.
In December he performed across the Caribbean as part of his Love, Damini tour, the final leg of which was in Jamaica. Burna Boy has been very public about his love and admiration of the Caribbean island going as far as to consider purchasing a home.
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As far as the public knows he’s yet to follow through on that promise but the superstar returned to the island in mid-July for what many theorize was a birthday-themed vacation. Far from a homebody, Burna Boy made his way around the island with appearances at the popular party series “Weddy Weddy Wednesdays” at the Stone Love Headquarters in Kingston. Burna Boy took the mic, performed some hits, and proclaimed his love for the island, “You know I love Jamaica. Jamaica is my second home.”
More on Burna Boy’s trip to Jamaica
- A Legendary Performance from Burna Boy in Jamaica
- Afrobeats star Burna Boy celebrates birthday in Jamaica
Angelina Jolie
Few actresses in history have been as successful as Angelina Jolie. The activist and philanthropist have been a critical darling, winning multiple awards and an audience favorite starring in beloved pictures like ‘Lara Croft: Tomb Raider’ and ‘Kung Fu Panda.’
This summer she traveled to Jamaica with her daughters Shiloh and Zahara. The three attended the annual arts celebration the Calabash Literary Festival in Treasure Beach, St. Elizabeth. Jolie, with her children in tow, made her way across the festival chatting it up with tradespeople, artists, and obliging attendees who wanted a picture.
Almost better known for her charity work than her screen presence these days, Jolie has traveled the world and met with refugees and internally displaced persons in over 20 countries. Through her foundation, she donated over 1 million to Doctors Without Borders and pledged countless resources to disaster aid. In 2003, Jolie was the first recipient of the Citizen of the World Award. This award was created by the United Nations (UN) for individuals who make significant contributions to world welfare.
Chance The Rapper
Hip-Hop megastar Chance the Rapper also touched down in Jamaica during carnival season. The rap icon, born Chancellor Jonathon Bennett celebrated his 30th birthday in Caribbean style. Chance made his way through the crowd dancing and marching alongside everyone, dancing, whining, and having a good time. The Rapper looked at home marching with famed carnival band Xodus and taking up every photo opportunity.
It wasn’t all fun and sun for the Grammy award-winning artiste. Chance, along with fellow rapper and long time friend Vic Mensa, visited the island to set the groundwork for their upcoming Black Star Line music festival — named after the Cruise Line conceived by Jamaican National Hero, Marcu Garvey. Chance and Vic visited local artists including Reggae legend Sizzla Kalonji. The two rappers paid respect to the music veteran.
Winnie Harlow
27-year old supermodel Chantelle Whitney Brown-Young, better known as Winnie Harlow, made a stunning return to Jamaica for carnival season.. Born in Canada to Jamaican parents, the skin-care entrepreneur and influencer regularly treats her 10.3 million Instagram followers to stunning shots of herself in swimsuits in a variety of locales.
This year was a bit different. Harlow is a spokesperson for vitiligo awareness. Vitiligo is a skin condition that causes loss of colour in patches all over the body. It affects all skin tones but is most noticeable in darker tones. Harlow is perhaps the most famous figure with vitiligo and through carving a space in the beauty industry has done plenty to de-stigmatize attitudes towards the condition.
She has become an inspiration for young black women with the condition and on this trip was able to change a young girl’s life. Caldela Maxwell is a 15 year old Jamaican girl who also has vitiligo. Her life has been hard as she’s endured bullying from ignorant peers and stigmatization from adults.
Harlow comforted Maxwell and shared advice “Ya bad gyal eno, don’t ever forget this, yuh bad eno, from birth. Yea a suh wi dweet.”
The Jamaican-Canadian documented the event on TikTok raving about uniting her two passions, vitiligo and Jamaica.
2 Chainz
American rapper and superstar Tauheed Epps, best known as 2 Chainz, visited the island in May to kick off Mocha Fest 2023 at the Elevate Lounge Nightclub in Montego Bay. Mocha Fest is a popular party series that has recently made the jump from across the sea from the US. The chart-topping artiste ran through some of his greatest hits to a fervent crowd including his iconic hit single “No Lie.”
2 Chainz initially gained recognition as one-half of the Southern hip hop duo Playaz Circle, alongside longtime friend and fellow rapper Earl “Dolla Boy” Conyers. The duo was signed to Georgia-based rapper Ludacris’ Disturbing tha Peace label, and are best known for their 2007 debut single “Duffle Bag Boy” (featuring Lil Wayne).
In 2012, 2 Chainz broke off as a solo act vaulting up the charts with viral hits “Birthday Song” and “I’m Different.”
