Reggae Sumfest, one of the most anticipated reggae festivals on the global entertainment landscape, recently faced challenges as several artists, including Jada Kingdom, Valiant and Kraff, did not perform on the first night of its 32nd staging. The organizers promptly issued a statement attributing the absences to “unforeseen issues” while also noting an unavoidable emergency in Kraff’s case. Despite these setbacks, the festival delivered high-energy performances, featuring top acts and drawing over 18,000 attendees to the Catherine Hall Entertainment Complex.
Cordel ‘Skatta’ Burrell, a key member of the organizing committee, provided further insight into the situation during an interview with OnstageTV. Burrell mentioned that he was uncertain about the specifics of Jada Kingdom’s no-show, although he noted she appeared “relaxed” at the venue before reportedly leaving upset. He expressed disappointment, stating, “I don’t believe that an artiste should walk out on their fans like that.” Burrell also touched on issues surrounding Valiant’s entourage, emphasizing that logistical challenges arose due to the artist’s large following backstage, which disrupted the event’s flow.
“There’s a lot of stuff that happened that was seriously beyond our control; you can not bring 300 persons or 100 persons and try to dictate how the backstage is supposed to run.”
Valiant responded to these remarks via an Instagram story, which has since been deleted, criticizing the festival’s organization and labelling it “unprofessional and unorganized.” He expressed frustration over the handling of local artists and hinted at further issues, inviting media inquiries for a more detailed discussion. Valiant’s response highlighted tensions between artists and festival management, particularly regarding backstage protocols and artist treatment.
The official statement from Reggae Sumfest organizers acknowledged the disappointment felt by patrons who travelled from various locations to see the full lineup. They assured that all efforts were made to ensure the festival’s overall success and reaffirmed their commitment to delivering an exceptional entertainment experience. Despite the challenges, the festival maintained its reputation as a premier event, dedicated to showcasing the best of reggae music to a global audience.
