Sport & Entertainment
JAM | Feb 4, 2025

Essence of Reggae Festival was a hit with Reggae Lovers

Howard Walker

Howard Walker / Our Today

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Reading Time: 5 minutes
Yaksta doing his thing at the Essence of Reggae Music Festival on Saturday, February 2, 2025. (Photo: OUR TODAY/Oraine Meikle)

Essence of Reggae Music Festival kick-started Reggae Month 2025 on Saturday with a slew of outstanding performances at the Ranny Williams Entertainment Centre in St Andrew.

It was good music and good vibes as Papiito, Darrio, Yaksta, Singer J, Tanya Stephens, Munga, Luton Fyah and  I-Wayne made it an event to remember and one not to be missed.

The festival promised to be an unforgettable celebration of Jamaica’s rich musical heritage and it indeed lived up to the billing in a calm and relaxing atmosphere which was a timely reminder of why the genre is loved so much worldwide.

A section of the crowd at the Essence of Reggae Music Festival on Saturday, February 2, 2025. (Photo: OUR TODAY/Oraine Meikle)

Other than the Reggae rhythm, Reggae lovers were treated to a variety of stuff at the food court from ital soups and ital stew, jerk chicken, bammy and festival, burgers, fries and fruits.

Sponsors Wray and Nephew were visible with their tents and bars displaying their wide range of products.

Emcee Badda Bling dapperly dressed in a black suit got the evening proceeding off with his selections before bringing up Papiito who delivered a weak performance as he failed to get the gathering engaged.

When his segment was finishing, he asked the crowd. “Do you want to see me go? A lady shouted yes. He said, “get her out” and continued as he pleaded with the promoters to give him time. 

Darrio was the second performer at approximately 10:20 pm and he started his stint paying tribute to a brother he said he lost a few weeks ago.

Darrio performing at Essence of Reggae Music Festival on Saturday, February 2, 2025. (Photo: OUR TODAY/Oraine Meikle)

He delivered a lively performance. Covering every inch of the stage and whipping the audience into a frenzy. He did particularly well when he drew Desmond Dekker’s monster hit “Israelites” and infused his own mix which drew applause.

Darrio then delivered a stinging message to parents who he said “floss (show off) inna dance but not on their kids”. The band changes were quick and efficient and were complimented by the selectors in between before Yaksta delved into some serious conscious lyrics about life which left patrons in a reflective mood.  

His Free My People song captivated the audience and earned an encore which shows why he is quickly becoming a household name in Jamaica. 

Singer J in action at Essence of Reggae Music Festival on Saturday, February 2, 2025. (Photo: OUR TODAY/Oraine Meikle)

Veteran Singer J touched the stage just before midnight rendition of Sam Cooke’s 1963 hit “A Change Is Gonna Come“.

After this, he paid tribute to Danny English who passed on January 24, 2025. Singer J then touched his uncle Bob Andy’s repertoire.

Tanya Stephens added to the good times Singer J in action at Essence of Reggae Music Festival on Saturday, February 2, 2025. (Photo: OUR TODAY/Oraine Meikle)

When Tanya Stephens took to the stage, the decibel levels went up a notch as without asking, the patrons were out of their seats, on their feet and flocking closer to the stage. 

They were just under her feet and literally eating out of her hands as she was not afraid to go outside the norm of keeping it clean and although raunchy she was a hit.

She deliberately stayed away from the fire display because of her “authentic” hair and bragged about her body count (number of sexual partners) as the ladies gravitated towards her lyrics, interspersed with expletives.  “Mi a general mi body count affi B%#@^ high. You think mi a scout inna dis,” said Stephens who encouraged the ladies not to be shy about their sexual exploits.

She also big up the men with the “dong”. “She clearly never saw the memo,” a spectator was heard saying. But Tanya Stephens is Tanya Stephens and she delivered an exciting segment.

The crowd taking in the action at Essence of Reggae Music Festival on Saturday, February 2, 2025. (Photo: OUR TODAY/Oraine Meikle)
Munga Honourable in top flight at Essence of Reggae Music Festival on Saturday, February 2, 2025. (Photo: OUR TODAY/Oraine Meikle)

Munga was hot as he pranced about delivering his hit songs with high energy before Lutan Fyah calmed things down with his steady set of songs. It was a little low-keyed as Tanya and Munga displays were hard acts to follow.

Luton Fyah performing at Essence of Reggae Music Festival on Saturday, February 2, 2025. (Photo: OUR TODAY/Oraine Meikle)

He introduced his offspring Shienna and she did a cool piece before they exited the stage.

Then I-Wayne was smooth as ever in his delivery as he brought the curtain down.

He charged out burning with his hit song “Lava Ground” as patrons were back on their feet and closer to the stage as the lighters and phone lights went up with every lyric he unleashed.

His silky voice and easy delivery reminded patrons why Reggae music can never die and is loved worldwide.

I-Wayne doing his thing at Essence of Reggae Music Festival on Saturday, February 2, 2025. (Photo: OUR TODAY/Oraine Meikle)

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