Streetz Festival launch serves up culture and vibes
/ Our Today
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Dancehall hitmaker Popcaan shared a warm Jamaican-style greeting with entertainment entrepreneur and event organiser Chad Williams—capturing the spirit of Streetz Festival: authentic, electric, and full of respect. (Photo: Contributed)
Music, culture, and an unmistakable energy came together at the Streetz Festival media launch on Wednesday (May 21).
From the minute guests stepped into Oceano, they were immersed in the vibe—chilled Dragon Stouts in hand, bass-heavy riddims pouring from the sound system, and zinc-lined branded walls that paid homage to Jamaica’s street aesthetic.
Kingston’s cultural tastemakers, government officials, media elites, and popular personalities turned out in full force, getting an up-close look at the evolution of one of the island’s fastest-growing cultural festivals.
From its humble beginnings with just 2,200 attendees, Streetz Festival has grown into a powerhouse event, drawing crowds of over 7,000 in 2024. Past headliners like Ding Dong, Sky Juice of Metro Media, Masicka, and Chronic Law have all graced its stage.
Event organiser Jermaine McFarlane and Dragon Stout brand manager Nathan Nelms teased what’s to come on August 30 at the National Stadium carpark.
This year, the stakes are even higher with international dancehall sensation Popcaan set to headline. A powerful video tribute featuring his mother offered an intimate look at the man behind the music, setting the tone for what’s expected to be a showstopping performance in August.
The event also gave guests a sneak peek into a groundbreaking digital experience tied to the festival—imagine Jamaican street culture, complete with virtual prizes and a Popcaan cameo.
HIGHLIGHTS:
Host Danae Reid set the tone perfectly, bringing just the right mix of energy and anticipation to capture the spirit of the festival to come.(Photo: Contributed)
Jevon ‘DJSpugy’ Dehaney delivered a set that captured the essence of Streetz—bold, unapologetically local, and full of raw energy. (Photo: Contributed)
The visionaries behind the experience. From left to right – Sean Wallace, head of commerce at Red Stripe; Chad Williams, festival director; Nathan Nelms, brand manager for Dragon Stout; and Jermaine McFarlane, festival director – brought the concept of Streetz Festival to life, shaping it into a cultural moment that’s set to leave a lasting mark on Jamaica’s entertainment landscape. (Photo: Contributed)
Nathan Nelms, brand manager for Dragon Stout, shared the brand’s vision for its partnership with Streetz Festival—highlighting a mutual celebration of culture, community, and staying true to Jamaican roots. (Photo: Contributed)
Popcaan stepped into the spotlight to show his support for Streetz Festival. With quiet confidence, he shared his intention to include ‘Firm and Strong’ in his set—a track that speaks to resilience and faith, values he says continue to ground both his life and his music. (Photo: Contributed)
A packed room of creatives, industry leaders, and media professionals tuned in with anticipation—ready to witness the bold vision behind the fifth staging of Streetz Festival. (Photo: Contributed)
A nod to the powerhouse behind the production—operations and special projects manager Andrew Hall (left) and SNB Group CEO Deane Shepherd bring presence and pride to the Streetz Festival launch, backed by a legacy of strong partnerships.
(Photo: Contributed)
Kaylia ‘Press Kay’ Williams, CEO of Konnect Media, shares a light moment with Popcaan at Republic—closing out the Streetz Festival launch with style, connection, and unmistakable vibes. (Photo: Contributed)
CEO of DownSound Entertainment, Joe Bogdanovich and the man behind some of Jamaica’s biggest stages pulled up to the Streetz to show his love and support.(Photo: Contributed)
A lively exchange between Senator Delano Seiveright (right) and Dragon Stout brand manager Nathan Nelms captures the energy of the Streetz Festival media launch—where culture, conversation, and community collide. (Photo: Contributed)
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