Bogdanovich shocked as artiste booked to perform at Sumfest killed

Joe Bogdanovich, owner and producer of the Reggae Sumfest festival, has expressed shock and sadness at the death of Bahamian musician Mdeez, who was booked to perform on Festival Night One at Catherine Hall, Montego Bay.

“We were informed last night that Mdeez was killed in The Bahamas after an altercation, following on a traffic accident, took a violent turn. I am extremely saddened by the loss of a talented musician in such a senseless act of violence. The Sumfest family wishes to let Mdeez’s family and other loved ones know that we share in their grief and deeply regret that he will not be performing at the festival,” a release from Reggae Sumfest stated.

Bogdanovich noted that Mdeez had been brought to his attention by Patrick Williams, chairman of MORE FM, who said he was one of the best emerging dancehall/rap artistes in The Bahamas. “I followed up on his recommendation and looked at one of Mdeez’s videos. Impressed by his performance, I invited him to join the line-up for Festival Night One. I was particularly happy to provide an opportunity for a Bahamian artiste with Jamaican roots, as it is my philosophy that it is our music that is the unifying element in our region.”

A report online at The Nassau Guardian stated that a man identified as Bahamian artiste Devon ‘Mdeez’ Knight, was stabbed multiple times and succumbed to his injuries.

Police said things turned violent after the victim and another man were involved in a traffic collision at the junction of Prince Charles Drive and Fox Hill Road.

Altercation

“As a result, the male drivers became involved in an altercation, resulting in one of them being stabbed multiple times about the body,” a police statement said.

Knight was transported to hospital where he died a short time later. Police have a 32-year-old in custody in connection with the stabbing. In another three weeks, , the Reggae Sumfest festival will unfold at several venues across the city of Montego Bay – Mawning Medz at Tropical Bliss Beach, Street Dance at Old Hospital Park, All White at Pier One, Blitz at the Hard Rock Café, and Festival Nights One and Two at Catherine Hall – from Sunday, July 14 to Saturday, July 20, under the theme ‘Our Music, Our Festival’.