Story and photos courtesy Overtime Media
Sixty years of Reggae was represented on one stage for one night as a star-studded cast of Reggae and Dancehall greats assembled in Kingston, Jamaica last weekend to celebrate and pay tribute to the “Queen of Reggae”, Marcia Griffiths. The highly-anticipated event, entitled Marcia Griffiths & Friends was produced and promoted by Solid Agency Company and Burke Bodley Limited at Hope Gardens in Kingston and impressed the masses in attendance, while surpassing all expectations with guest appearances from the likes of: Shaggy, Busy Signal, Tanya Stephens, Skip Marley, Cutty Ranks, Alaine, Tessanne Chin, Brick & Lace, Nadine Sutherland, Tony Gregory, Duane Stephenson, Ras Shiloh, Lady G and Beenie Man, among others.
In the lead up to the event, Griffiths hinted at having surprise guests, so when Beres Hammond, Buju Banton, Damian Marley and Stephen Marley took the stage, the scores of patrons in attendance became beside themselves with glee. Behind the big name singers, the music itself was provided by some of Jamaica’s finest musicians, collectively refered to as the Jamaican All Star Band and led by the incomparable saxophonist and musical director, Dean Fraser.
“It was just one beautiful manifestation,” Griffiths commented, while giving thanks afterward. “A divine order. I am so honoured…
“I want to thank those who shared the diamond journey and the friends and family that turned out to support me; all those that braved the weather and that had a good time. It was a beautiful, awesome feeling. They didn’t have to do it and they did… Soul touching – that’s what it was to me especially.”
The Queen of Reggae chuckled as she spoke of her elation at seeing Overcomer Tour headliner Buju Banton appear:
“I didn’t know he would make it back from his trip.” She enthused. “So when I saw him take the stage and when he said ‘You tink me was gwehh let yuh dung eeh?’ I was filled with so much joy. I was really so happy to have him there.” Patrons of the event commented on seeing Beres, Buju and Marcia on stage at one event as “phenomenal” and described those moments as “the right direction for the music”. Those who packed the venue continue to commend the line-up, the production and the performances by the biggest stars. Many also praised the punctual start and end of the show and were thankful that they were able to be back home by midnight or earlier.
Hosted by Griffiths herself with emcee support from Tommy Cowan and Judith Bodley, the event also featured a medley of some of Jamaica’s staple brands, who partnered with the event, including: Appleton Estate, Wisynco – Coca Cola, Wata, Sparkling Cranwata and Tru-Juice. KFC, Pizza Hut, Tastee, IPrint Group, Select Brands, Kendel and HIC and VP records, Heather Laine, From thought to finish and Ranch Entertainment also supported the Marcia Griffiths and Friends concert event, with media backing from a myriad of platforms including: The Observer Group, The RJR Gleaner Group, IRIE FM, Zip, Fyah, Suncity, Kool, Roots, Nationwide, as well as online, regional and overseas media who turned out in their numbers.
Griffiths took the audience through her musical journey, starting in the 1960s, all the way through to the 2000s. As she flowed from one era to the next, we were greeted by her friends (artistes on the line-up) that she met and created timeless music with along the way. Only Marcia Griffiths, the Queen of Reggae with the solid team could pull this cache of talent together for an immensely successful and outstanding affair!
