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Something Extra | Wednesday

Published:Wednesday | July 1, 2020 | 12:16 AM
Toots Hibbert
Toots Hibbert

When July 1 comes around each year, it marks the celebration of International Reggae Day (IRD), a 24-hour virtual event anchored in the cultural mecca of Kingston, Jamaica, the home of Reggae music. Founder and producer Andrea Davis says it is “a call to action for the global reggae community and lovers of Jamaica’s influential music to show their colours and support the culture”. The theme for this year’s event is ‘From Jamrock to Hip Hop’, and, as usual, the objective is to celebrate Jamaican creativity and its global impact, using the power of music, media and communication technology to unite nations.

With IRD moving online this year, Davis stated, “People everywhere now practise physical distancing and have embraced the virtual world. The IRD 24-hour online event aims to bring a positive experience and a balm to the world through reggae music at this moment in time. We have crafted what we believe will be an exciting and not-to-be-missed programme this year, and have received an outpouring of support from artistes, sound systems, industry interests and media at home and abroad.” Today, Something Extra celebrates IRD.