Ras-I hoping for more fan interaction at Reggae Sumfest

As he prepares to grace the Reggae Sumfest stage for his second time ever, rising reggae star Ras-I is hoping members of the audience will be as ready as he is to have a good time.

In a conversation with The Gleaner, the Somewhere Wonderful singer shared his thoughts on recent fan experiences he has seen.

“I’ve been watching a lot of shows, even the ones I have not been on. And I see artistes perform their heart and soul out on the stage, and di people dem just have dis way fi stand up and look pan you,” the singer, whose real name is Immanuel Kerr, said.

In fact, for those looking to have a good time during any artiste’s set when the entertainment staple returns later this year, Ras-I is suggesting that patrons take the time to “learn the songs”.

“Learn the music and all the song dem. Just come sing and dance and have a good time at Sumfest. Mi wah wi encourage di artiste dem, listen to the artiste dem, and gi dem di fawud. We have to encourage positive music.”

Reggae Sumfest, which started in 1993, has long been touted as the largest music festival in Jamaica and the Caribbean. For Ras-I, being invited to such a platform for the second time is proof of the fruits of his hard work.

“I feel great. You done know Sumfest is one of our staples. As an artiste coming out of Jamaica, you have to have Sumfest pan you résumé. If I’m being honest, my career has had a very nice progression for the past two years – so I think is the right time to get that call,” he said.

The entertainer first performed at the event in 2017 at the age of 26 – he has learnt a number of lessons since that point which he hopes to use in his performance this year.

“Is really just better vocal delivery and I worked really hard on that to get better over the years. Not to mention we have a lot more solid songs and I lot more identifiable music like Somewhere Wonderful and Kingman Ting.”

Ras-I’s booking and Reggae Sumfest itself comes amid a series of conversations surrounding when entertainment events are held. In fact, one of the most recent events the singer performed at, Lost in Time, came to an abrupt end at 12:01 a.m. when a request for five additional minutes from police officers was declined.

Protoje, who is the main man behind the show, told his fans and members of the audience to “tell the Government we need reggae music and dancehall music fi play inna Kingston,” before leaving stage at the Hope Botanical Gardens in St Andrew.

The Government has since responded by way of Finance Minister Dr Nigel Clarke who announced that $120 million will be earmarked for state-designated 24/7 entertainment venues Jam World in St Catherine and Fort Rocky in Kingston.

For Ras-I, he welcomes the investment, but is waiting to see the plans actually come to fruition.

“It is nice to hear, but I want to see it implemented first. Because [wid] Government we hear a whole heap a things and don’t always see it all. So I want to see it come true,” Ras-I said.

kenrick.morgan@gleanerjm.com