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Monday, August 9, 2010

An All-Stars Reggae Line-Up for This Year's New Jersey International Reggae Fest



New Jersians are in for a treat at this, the tenth anniversary of the New Jersey International Reggae Fest. This is an outdoor event; which in the past years attracted between 3000 to 5000 people. It will take place at the Edison Park Fast complex, across the street from the Prudential Center.

In the past it featured Reggae icons such as Beres Hammond and Barrington Levy as well as stars from the worlds of dancehall (Sean Paul, Beenie Man, Bounty Killer, Capleton), soca (Kevin Lyttle) and calypso (Machel Montano).

This year, the organizers has taken on a more roots-reggae lineup. The headliners include; Marcia Griffiths, Cocoa Tea, Freddie McGregor, Tarrus Riley and Gramps Morgan.

“This year we are trying to do something more grass-roots than some of the dancehall of past years,” says Rankine. “We’re trying to create a better family environment with a family-friendly artist lineup.”

Other performers will be Cham, Gyptian, Laden and  rising reggae star Romain Virgo.

There will be food and crafts vendors and, in keeping with the new family focus, Rankine has also made arrangements for kids’ play areas.
The festival is the biggest event by Rankine’s G-City Enterprise, which is producing it along with Jeawin Entertainment and the popular Jamaican music web site roadblockradio.com.


“In the 10 years that we’ve been doing this, it’s grown to become the main event of the Caribbean-American community here in New Jersey,” says Rankine. “This is for the 250,000 Caribbean-Americans in Essex County, Bergen and statewide.”
New Jersey International Reggae Fest
Where: Edison Park Complex, 162 Mulberry St., Newark 
When: Sunday. Gates at noon, music from 2 to 10 p.m.
How much: $39.99-$100. Kids younger than 12 free. Call (973) 573-8154 or visit 
roadblockradio.com.

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