Celebrations are taking place across South Florida this month to celebrate over 50 years of reggae.
From the music to the food, there is so much to love.
And starting this weekend, there will be events from here to Jamaica that you don’t want to miss.
Local 10 entertainment reporter Alexis Frazier sat down with the bad boys of reggae and Mr. Bombostic himself to get a feel about what we can expect.
And not only are we celebrating the culture that has birthed so many other music genres, but we’re also embracing a lifestyle in hopes of helping the next generation.
“This Reggae Month is to bring people together under the mantra of reggae, which is peace, love, understanding -- also with food, too,” Roger Lewis, of Inner Circle, said.
The “bad boys” of reggae, Inner Circle, are teaming up with Shaggy this month.
“Shaggy’s the don, Shaggy’s the big man! It wasn’t me,” Lewis said.
They’re bringing their knowledge and star power to events that will highlight Jamaican artists, businesses and entrepreneurs.
“All the things that come along with the Caribbean and come along with reggae music, we are exposing it within Reggae Month,” Lewis said.
And that includes everything from the food to the culture.
Things kick off with a free event this Sunday at Blue Martini in Fort Lauderdale, where you can meet the bad boys themselves.
Lewis says reggae music is all about feeling something.
“That heavy back beat that some say comes from oppression and the vibe. It’s just like funk. It grabs you,” he said.
During this month, they’ll be honoring someone who has made us all feel something -- Shaggy!
“It’s a good time to honor somebody when they deserve it, and when they’re alive, not when the man gone. My brother Shaggy -- big respect bredren,” Lewis said.
“Coming up in the inner city, there wasn’t much,” Shaggy told Local 10. “It’s not like we had PlayStations. I’m an inner city kid, so the music and radio was the only way people in the inner city can really enjoy themselves. So it was easy for me to get into it.”
Shaggy said he was inspired after seeing Yellowman perform live.
“He turned around and walked out and everybody walked out with him. And I was like, ‘Wow, that guy is incredible,’” Shaggy said. “He was an ambassador for decades.”
Shaggy is bringing back the Island Music Conference from Feb. 21 – 25 in Kingston, Jamaica. It was created to help the next generation of artists.
“We’re doing it to basically educate artists, young artists, to watch out for the parasites and vultures who are out there to take advantage of somebody else,” he said.
With all that going on, Frazier needed to know one thing.
“Was it really you?” she asked.
“That’s my story and I’m sticking to it,” Shaggy said. “For the record, I never got caught, so…”
Events for Reggae Month are taking place in Fort Lauderdale Miramar, Plantation and Miami.
The full event list can be found below:
Sunday, February 4th: Reggae Month Launch Event from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.: Meet and greet with Inner Circle and special surprise guests. Free entry from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.; 8 p.m.: Live music with Marla Brown backed by Visions Band (Dennis Brown Tribute), 21 and over.
Address: Blue Martini (2432 E Sunrise Blvd., Fort Lauderdale, FL 33304.)
Saturday, February 10th: Reggae Genealogy from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m.: This event is hosted by Island Space Caribbean Museum. There is a fee for Reggae Genealogy.
Address: Broward Mall northeast parking lot (8000 West Broward Blvd, Plantation.)
Wednesday, February 14th: Rastafari Day and Drum Circle from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m.” Performing live is Warrior King. Admission is free.
Address: NoMi Village (12351 NW 7th Avenue, North Miami.)
Sunday, February 18th: Praise on the Green Gospel Extravaganza from 3 p.m. to 10 p.m.: Performers and preachers include Sister Marion Hall, Carlene Davis and more. Admission is free.
Address: Shirley Branca Park (6900 Miramar Parkway, Miramar.)
Saturday, February 24th: South Florida Reggae Month Jam from 12 p.m. to 7 p.m.: Live performances by Ernie Smith, Paul Anthony plus many more. Enjoy the ocean view, vendors and Caribbean food. Admission is free.
Address: The Loop on Fort Lauderdale Beach (3000 East Las Olas Blvd, Fort Lauderdale.)
Island Music Conference 2024 will take place from February 21 to 25 in Kingston, Jamaica. The Island Music Conference is an annual meeting place where global music industry professionals converge to drive music forward. The conference serves as an informational hub for artists and music professionals in Jamaica and throughout the region and beyond. The conference is chaired by Orville “Shaggy” Burrell, and co-founded by him, Judith Bodley and Sharon Burke. This conference will feature over 15 music panels, workshops and performances by Wyclef Jean and Vivian Scott Chew and keynote speakers Doug E. Fresh, Kes, Skinny, Shaggy, Sean Paul and Tee Jay. If you sing, DJ, write, manage, produce, create beats and content, this is the event for you. For more information please visit islandmusicconference.com.