Remone Watson heads to St Kitts Music Festival
2023 ‘Digicel Rising Stars’ winner has hitched his wagon to a star
Published:Thursday | May 9, 2024 | 12:09 AMYasmine Peru/Senior Gleaner Writer
Remone Watson, the 2023 ‘Digicel Rising Stars’ (DRS) winner, is one of the acts on the upcoming St Kitts Music Festival, and he couldn’t be happier.
“This is the biggest show outside of Jamaica for me,” the 21-year-old singer shared enthusiastically.
Big it certainly is. Having earned the reputation for being “the most diversified music show in the Caribbean,” the St Kitts Music Festival–which had its genesis two decades ago – is hosted during the last week of June. An all-genre showcase of reggae, soca, calypso, soul, jazz, R&B, meringue, zouk, cadence, dancehall, gospel and blues, the festival has played host to artistes such as Lionel Richie, Buju Banton, Machel Montano & Xtatik, Rupee, Stalin, David Rudder, Doug E. Fresh, Ludacris, Freddie McGregor, Dru Hill, Yolanda Adams, KC & Jo Jo, Dennis Brown, Kool & The Gang, Joe,Percy Sledge, Morgan Heritage, Mighty Arrow, Sparrow, Destra, Masud Sadiki, Nu Vybes, Grand Masters, Fantasia, Kenny Rogers, V Boozeman, Tyrese Gibson, Dionne Warrick, Wyclef Jean, Michael Bolton, Hugh Masekala, Brian McKnight, Shaggy, Chris Brown, DMX, Chaka Khan, Eve, Ashanti, Busta Rhymes, Culture, John Holt, Boys ll Men, Barrington Levy, Lady Saw, Sean Paul, Ne-Yo, Big Boi of Outkast, and so many more.
For the 2024 iteration of the festival, Watson is seeing his name emblazoned alongside those of some of the biggest stars in showbiz. He is scheduled to perform on Saturday, June 6 on a bill that will also showcase acts such as Mary J Blige, Rick Ross, the Nicholas Brancker Band, Freddie Jackson and Briannagh D, among others.
“It is one of the things you work for and aspire to be as an artiste; you get up every day and practise and work hard so you can secure a big book like this one [at] one of the most recognised festivals in the world, and I am honoured to have been chosen to perform, and of course share stage with some of music heavyweights, some of who I grew up listening to, and to now share stage with them is an extreme blessing that I don’t take for granted,” Watson stated.
Watson has been intentional in his movements post-DRS, and is starting to savour exactly what it means to be successful, while staying true to his promise to himself to remain well grounded. He was one of the opening acts for Freddie Jackson, when the R&B veteran performed in Jamaica earlier this year, and he is confident that it is more than mere coincidence that he and Jackson will meet up again on the same stage at the high-calibre festival.
“I have a great team who have been working tirelessly throughout the year to secure some prestigious bookings so this is in alignment with the direction my team envisioned us going. Myself and Tangos Entertainment are perhaps a match made in heaven as a new artiste. I feel secure in my team and my direction at this time,” Watson told The Gleaner.
A proud Hanoverian, Watson is a past student of the Rusea’s High School in Lucea, the parish capital. He was encouraged to enter ‘Digicel Rising Stars’ by friends and family members and he quickly impressed the judges and the public with his talent. His rendition of Barry White’s Practice What You Preach on the night of the finals is still etched in the memories of his fans.
He has been assiduously counting his blessings since his win seven months ago and shared that he has had “the esteemed privilege of working with Sly and The Taxi Gang, Bulby and Evad Campbell”.
“I sound like a scratch record but I feel extremely blessed because my gift is taking me places only God had destined me to be, and I know this is just the beginning,” he said softly.
He names Love in the Gardens, headlined by Freddie Jackson; the Jamaica Creative Expo 2024, with headliner Sean Paul; and a distinguished guest appearance at the Office of the Prime Minister as some of the events that he has made his mark.
“Rehearsals for St Kitts Music Festival have not started as yet, but I know that it is going to be great. I plan to give patrons a true sense of Jamaica and also premiere a single that I have been working on ... so look out for that,” an excited Watson declared.
The St Kitts Music Festival 2024 boasts an exciting line-up which includes the Small Axe Band, iTebulous, Capleton, Masicka, Tony Rebel, Busy Signal, Alkaline, Rick Ross, Eazi, Speedy, Tbone, KT Dan, Akaii U Sweet, Mical Teja, Hi-Light, Green House Band featuring Mishka, Jaydo$, Third World, Mr Mention, Tommy Lee Sparta, 450 and more.