Masicka is bringing together some of Jamaica’s leading dancehall and reggae voices for his inaugural Forever 1NE Music Festival, with Dexta Daps, Shaneil Muir and I-Wayne confirmed to join him at Caymanas Park in Portmore on December 19. The line-up was unveiled at the festival’s official media launch, with organisers also promising additional surprise guests. For Masicka, however, the event represents more than a major night of music. It marks a homecoming to the community where he was born and an opportunity to give back through a major entertainment production.
“This a mi place, Portmore; yah so mi birth, so dis a history,” Masicka declared at the launch, held at D’Ferrano Restaurant & Lounge Rooftop. The dancehall star expressed gratitude to his team for helping to bring the project to life, describing the opportunity to stage the festival in his hometown as a rewarding milestone. “It’s a great feeling to host this in the community weh mi come from. With everything weh mi achieve inna mi career, me feel like a di right place to give back to,” he added.
The initiative has attracted support from government officials and major industry stakeholders, with attention focused on the potential economic benefits for Portmore. Member of Parliament for St Catherine East Central and Minister of State Alando Terrelonge highlighted the municipality’s potential to become a destination for major events, noting that more than 200,000 people live in the area. He pointed to opportunities for job creation, commercial activity and increased tourism visibility. Minister of Culture and Sport Olivia “Babsy” Grange also praised Masicka’s discipline and focus, while emphasising the wider commercial importance of the music industry. “Music is entertainment, but it’s also a business,” she said.
The festival is being supported by Masicka’s 1Syde team and Zimi Entertainment, with Magnum Tonic Wine partnering through J Wray & Nephew. Main Event Entertainment Group is responsible for production, and its chief executive officer, Solomon Sharpe, disclosed that the team had already completed six or seven site visits and revised the venue layout several times. Gary Peart of Supreme Ventures, operators of Caymanas Park, also outlined ambitions to establish the property as a major entertainment destination beyond its traditional association with horse racing. The festival therefore carries implications beyond its musical line-up, potentially creating opportunities for local businesses and strengthening Portmore’s position within Jamaica’s live entertainment landscape.
Masicka’s own career momentum adds further significance to the occasion. His album Forever Reign, released through Def Jam Recordings, debuted at No. 4 on the Billboard Reggae Albums chart and spent two consecutive weeks in the Top 10. It also held No. 1 positions on Apple Music in six territories in an October 17 chart snapshot. With Dexta Daps, Shaneil Muir and I-Wayne joining him, and additional guests still to be revealed, Masicka is promising a memorable homecoming. “December 19 nah go normal. Me and mi musical bredda dem ago create a pandemonium,” he declared.
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