At Reggae Sumfest this year, according to Johnny Gourzong, a director of Summerfest Productions, organisers of Reggae Sumfest, a number of up-and-coming acts will be performing for the first time. This includes acts such as Serani, DeMarco, I - Octane, Courtney John, Terry Linen, D' Angel, Queen Ifrica and Konshens as solo acts.
Gourzong told THE STAR , "Sumfest is definitely a big deal for artistes, I think the production is certainly at a level. There are a number of International press that is there, so they get the chance to perform to a medium they otherwise might not get the chance to, as well as other cable channels. You have people coming down from VH1, BET and others."
According to Gourzong, he finds that artistes get to enhance their performances having to rehearse with a live band, they also get the chance to include backup singers and dancers that create a full show. Gourzong cites acts such as reggae singers Tarrus Riley, Jah Cure and Etana as having benefited from performing at the show.
"I remember when Tarrus Riley appeared as a back up singer for one of the acts. The following year, he approached me with his album, I gave it a listen and was really impressed. He came on a Saturday night and was great, now he's bigger and better to be a main act on Saturday, now he's a household name. Etana performed last year and in the last 12 months her career has taken great strides," Gourzong said.
For D' Angel, this is her first solo performance on Sumfest, having made a cameo alongside then husband Beenie Man in 2006 when she was pregnant. According to D' Angel, she has never performed on a platform this huge and is excited about the opportunity and is still shopping around for her Sumfest outfit.
"It's a great and awesome feeling to be on Sumfest. Words can't express and I'm gonna give it my best. Right now I'm pre-planning, cause is a big staged event and I want to give it my all, so fans will see an Angel they have never seen before," she commented. D' Angel will be appearing on Thursday's Dancehall night.
These acts aren't the only new acts to get a boost from Sumfest with an opening segment of fresh acts performing each night before the major acts. These acts get the experience and exposure from being on the show.
As for the line-up, rapper Lil' Wayne who has popular hits such as Lollipop, has been added to Friday's line-up alongside Keisha Cole. According to Gourzong, the International act for Saturday night has still not been confirmed.
Source: Jamaica Star
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