Mohalenyane Phakela
MORE international artistes have been added to the roster of performers for the ninth annual Reggae and Dancehall Summerfest scheduled for Maseru Central Park this weekend.
The concert which starts on Saturday and ends on Sunday will see General Vypa from Jamaica, Selectah Jun from Japan, JNR (United Kingdom) and DJ Blackfoot of Holland all performing in Maseru for the first time.
The organisers, Powertainment Productions, announced the arrival of Vypa in South Africa on Monday.
“We are delighted to welcome our main international artiste, General Vypa, who arrived at OR Tambo International Airport on 24 September 2018,” Don Power of Powertainment told the Weekender this week.
“The Jamaican international reggae and dancehall artiste is currently on his world tour and has performed at various shows extending from Jamaica, Canada, Mexico, Dubai and India.
“Before flying to Africa, he performed in Vancouver, British Columbia and is ready for Lesotho where he will perform at the ninth annual Reggae and Dancehall Summerfest.”
The Reggae and Dancehall Summerfest was first held in the village of Khanyane in the Leribe district in 2009 as an initiative by Powertainment Productions and Shatta-kulcha Productions.
Don Power said the festival is aimed at uniting people through music.
“The event was highly influenced by the response and love of Reggae and Dancehall by the community of Khanyane with the following editions migrating to a bigger audience in Hlotse which is still in Leribe.
“Our primary goal is to entertain, educate, unify and promote social cohesion, moral regeneration and nation building in Lesotho. We felt the need to establish an annual reggae festival to set high standards of reggae presentation in Leribe. The love, support and growth of our reggae festivals has been overwhelming in the Mountain Kingdom.
“Our team is working hard to match the high standards of international reggae festivals around the globe hence we decided to move the festival to the capital city.”
Besides the locals, the four new international acts will join stars from South African, Zimbabwe and Botswana.
The line-up includes Momo-Dread, Bongo Riot, Benjy Dread, Teba, Skeleton Blazer,L’titude, Senci Rankin, Lavado,C-jo, Maxzhe Bwoy, Sledge ,Lion Gasp ,Top-shattah , Man Chaco, Magainer, Power Force, Kymani Bushy, Rass Rak, Sista Soul T.
The DJ roster will boast the likes of Ready D, Don Royal, DJ Fanta Jozi, Diboza, Selectah Tesfa, Tripple Crown, Selectah Jun, DJ Gazavin, Green Seed, Small X, Powertainment Twins, Jah Tbla, Melo, Sanchez, Dope D, Ragga Vybz, Nahlingah, Ire Vybz, Thembaman, Choma Dee and Kopper.
Rappers Juvy and Mega Hertz will also perform while Badman, Lasbon, Selectah Che, Stitchie and La-Diva will be the hosts of the event.
