Reggae Sumfest 2025 Pays Special Tribute to Late Reggae Legends

Cocoa Tea, Dennis Brown, Gregory Isaacs, and Jimmy Riley will be celebrated during ‘Tribute to the Legends,’ with Tarrus Riley, Maxi Priest and more bringing their timeless hits to life

Reggae Sumfest to present special ‘Tribute to the Legends’ celebrating four musical giants

Jamaica’s premier festival, Reggae Sumfest 2025, is shaping up to be more than just a music event. Long known for its out-of-the-box thinking and meaningful programming, this year’s staging promises a powerful celebration of reggae’s rich heritage.

On Saturday, July 19, Reggae Sumfest will present Tribute to the Legends, a heartfelt salute to four musical icons: the recently departed Cocoa Tea, along with Dennis Brown, Gregory Isaacs, and Jimmy Riley.

This special segment will feature reggae veterans Maxi Priest, Tarrus Riley (son of Jimmy Riley), as well as Winston “Flames” Wallace, and Chester Miller performing covers of the legends’ timeless hits. It’s expected to be one of the most moving highlights of the week-long celebration, honoring the lasting impact of these trailblazers.

Running from July 13–19, Reggae Sumfest 2025 will also crown Vybz Kartel as The King of Dancehall. International stars like R&B legend Toni Braxton and Ghanaian sensation Moliy are set to perform at Global Fete on July 17, alongside Trinidadian soca artist Yung Bredda and dancehall firestarter Marcy Chin.

Dancehall heavyweights Vybz Kartel, Masicka, Govana, Skeng, Shaneil Muir, Moyann, and Jamal will take the stage on Night One, July 18. Reggae fans can also look forward to standout performances from Protoje, Tarrus Riley, Lila Iké, Fantan Mojah, and Bugle, who continues to gain international momentum.

Festival organizer Josef Bogdanovich has also hinted at a surprise international act yet to be announcedת staying true to his tradition of pulling something unexpected out of the sleeve.