Christopher Ellis ADD

Reggae Month in Jamaica - February 2017

01/30/2017

The Jamaica Reggae Industry Association is proud to present the 10th staging of Reggae Month! This year’s calendar of activities features JaRIA’s signature events including, Reggae Open University, its signature Reggae Wednesdays, and the JaRIA Honour Awards.

“Reggae is the heartbeat of Jamaica…the unique music that springs from the creative imagination of a diverse people, forged in a crucible of common experiences, struggles, successes and spirituality that survived the Middle Passage to become our indigenous creation, our national expression, our musical voice in the world, a driving force of our economy and the industry providing the greatest opportunity to transform the country…”

Jamaica Reggae Industry Association dedicates first Reggae Wednesday to Dennis Brown
Kingston, Jamaica – January 30, 2017
JaRIA’s signature Reggae Wednesdays kicks off this Wednesday February 1 with a tribute to Dennis Brown under the theme – “Di Root” in Mandela Park, Half Way Tree. The line-up includes Christopher Martin, Warrior King, Jah9, Christopher Ellis, Prophecy, D Major, Lymie Murray and Skalareg. Dennis Brown’s daughter Marla Brown will also pay tribute to her dad on the show complimented by a special appearance of Freddie McGregor, a close friend of the Crown Prince. The artists will be backed by Lloyd Parks and Warrior Love bands. Each artist will celebrate the Crown Prince with songs from his extensive catalogue along with songs of their own in a three hour packed show beginning at 6:30pm which is free to the public.

Reggae Open University also returns this year with support from FIWI Jamaica out of the University of Technology and the Edna Manley College of the Visual and Performing Arts on Tuesdays and Thursdays focusing on concerns in the industry including immigration, publishing and payola as well as celebrating reggae’s impact on the world of fashion and the role of the industry within the context of the creative city of music status. The first Reggae Open University begins on Thursday February 2 at the Vera Moody Concert Hall, School of Music, EMCVPA at 6:30pm exploring the theme “Preserving the Music”.


Reggae Month was officially declared on January 9th 2008 by the then Governor General of Jamaica. This was done to highlight and celebrate the impact of the musical genre on the country’s social, cultural and economic development.

View the full Reggae Month 2017 calendar below: