30 Stars For Rebel Salute’s 30th Anniversary In 2024
Unlike the 2023 staging, when approximately 60 artists graced the Rebel Salute stage, next year there will be a total of 30 big names in Reggae who will perform for longer periods, which, according to promoter Tony Rebel, is what ‘Saluters’ have been clamoring for.
Rebel Salute 2024 is set for January 19 to 20, 2024, at the Grizzlys Plantation Cove in Priory, St Ann.
At the launch of the event at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel Kingston on Thursday, the Teach the Children singer said that the decision to use 30 acts was also in keeping with the fact that the festival is celebrating its 30th year of existence. Nevertheless, he said patrons should “expect nuff special guest.”
“Because it’s our 30th anniversary, I want to go with 30 artists, so we call it ‘30 for 30’, zeen. The people always complain about having artistes on stage too short. Suh now is a time when an artiste will get to perform a longer set to satisfy his audience need or greed, yeh. So we doing 15 artistes each night: 15 on Friday, 15 on Saturday,” he explained during an on-stage interview with his daughter, Jahyuda.
Rebel Salute 30 commences on Friday, January 19, and will be headlined that night by Third World, Anthony B, Marcia Griffiths, Sanchez, Mikey Spice, Benji Myaz, Glenn Washington, Richie Stephens, Leroy Gibbons, Lone Ranger, CC Foster, Tappa Zukie, and Tony Rebel himself.
Dancehall superstar Sean Paul will grace the Rebel Salute for the first time in its 30-year history on Saturday, January 20, alongside Reggae giants Luciano, Etana, Queen Ifrica and Capleton. The list is completed by Louie Culture, Mortimer, Josie Wales, Yellowman, Horace Andy, Peter Metro, Linval Thompson, Fantan Mojah and Turbulence, and The Rebel clan.
The event will also feature a dubplate showcase with The African versus Sky Juice of Metromedia.
At the 2023 staging of the event, Dancehall heavyweights Bounty Killer and Beenie Man were among approximately 60 artists in a stellar line-up, which included Big Mountain, as well as veterans The Abyssinians, Horace Andy, Papa Michigan, Pluto Shervington, Ernie Smith, Glen Washington, among others.
Rebel Salute, whose mantra is “The Preservation of Reggae”, had its debut in 1994, at the Fayor’s Entertainment Centre in Mandeville the capital of Manchester, Tony Rebel’s home parish. He subsequently moved the show to Brook’s Park, in the town and then the Port Kaiser Sports Club in St Elizabeth before moving to what is now its permanent home ground, Grizzly’s in 2013.
Over the years, the festival has brought back many veterans from the 1960s, 70s and 80s who have fallen into obscurity, in addition to contemporary Reggae acts. Stars such as Sizzla, Richie Spice, Queen Ifrica as well as Jesse Royal, Chronixx and Kabaka Pyramid have performed there in the past, as well as elders such as Echo Minott, Third World, Inner Circle, the Mighty Diamonds, and Johnny Clarke.
In addition to the performances, Rebel Salute will again feature the Herb Curb, an enclosed area aimed at boosting “educational, spiritual and retail displays where patrons have the opportunity to learn about Ganja, its uses and numerous by-products through exhibitions and symposiums”. The Herb Curb, which is located adjacent to the sea, features artisans, herb practitioners, educators, speakers, and medical professionals.
The festival, which maintains a strict no-meat, no-alcohol will also feature eateries that promote holistic, healthier lifestyles, with ital/vegan food, including stews, burgers and pizzas made from natural seeds and organic milks and natural juices made from both fruits and vegetables and fresh fruits.
The Rebel Salute Art Village, which forms a major part of the experience, will showcase art, craft, and authentic Jamaican fashion as well as Rebel Salute memorabilia.