Oracabessa Music Festival for New York in September
Published:Monday | August 19, 2024 | 12:07 AMDave Rodney/Gleaner Writer
Labour Day Weekend in the United States, which falls just before the first Monday in September, is the biggest party season for Caribbean Americans. More than one million people watch the Caribbean floats each year, and the entertainment spotlight is turned on the exuberant cultures of the region.
This year, Jamaica will be front and centre with a renewal of the Oracabessa Caribbean Music Festival on Sunday, September 1 at the Roy Wilkins Park in Queens. Scheduled to perform are Marcia Griffiths, Louie Culture, Jada Kingdom, Terry Linen, Lady G, Ras Emmanuel, Mr Easy, alongside soca stars Patrice Roberts and Edwin Yearwood.
One of the objectives of this music event, the promoters said, is to unify voices from across the Caribbean, in the true spirit of what the carnival celebration is all about. The project is a collaboration with Irie Jam’s CaribStar Radio and RoadBlock Radio.
“This partnership marks the first of its kind in the history of Caribbean media in New York,” revealed Syn Clarke, one of the promoters.
The event will also showcase the culinary and artistic treasures of the region, and Clarke is counting on the vast experience of her team to amplify the overall experience at the concert.
“Our extensive experience in event production in the New York Tri-State area producing successful events, such as Irie Jamboree, celebrity soccer match and Irie Fashion Rave has allowed us to enhance our strategy to now present an elevated music festival celebrating Caribbean culture, food, arts, traditions and music,” Clarke explained.
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Marcia Griffiths, an original member of I-Three, toured the world with Bob Marley and the Wailers. She enjoyed solo international acclaim with the Electric Slide song and line dance. The song raced up the US Billboard Hot 100 chart and topped reggae charts, making it one the biggest-selling songs by a female reggae artiste.
Dancehall star Jada Kingdom first got attention on Sean Kingston’s One Way music video and has since blazed a trail with tracks like Love Situations, Wasteman, Banana, GPP and Feelings.
After an absence of more than a decade from the NYC outdoor stage, reggae crooner Terry Linen is set to return to New York City on Labour Day. He is expected to woo fans with Money Games, Goodness of God and Just Say Yes.
A lot is also expected from New Jersey-based reggae artiste Ras Emmanuel, who is riding high with his new 20-track album, Dancehall Forever, which blends contemporary reggae with ‘90s dancehall sounds and boasts collaborations with Jigsy King, Lushy Banton, Louie Culture and Terry Ganzie.