Sean Paul, Queen Ifrica, Freddy McGregor confirmed for Irie Jamboree

By Howard Turner

New York: Organisers of North America's premier reggae festival announced yesterday that international DJ Sean Paul will be making his first major outdoor festival appearance in New York for 2009 at Irie Jamboree which takes place on Labour Day Sunday, September 6, in Queens, New York. Other acts confirmed for the festival include the high-riding Fyah Muma, Queen Ifrica, Freddy McGregor, Mr Vegas, Assassin, Laden, Spice and Chino.

Bobby Clarke, CEO of Irie Jam Radio, co-producers of the event said that "Sean Paul's appearance will help the festival attract not only traditional reggae/dancehall lovers but mainstream fans who have now embraced music from the islands. He has established himself as the top artiste from the Caribbean and has consistently demonstrated his ability to score international hit songs, having done so with Deport Them, Hot Gal Today, Gimmie the Light, Get Busy, Like Glue, Temperature, We Be Burning, Baby Boy and Come Over," Clarke noted.

The Grammy-winning artiste recently landed his 13th entry on Billboard's R&B Hip Hop Singles charts, with So Fine, the first single from his upcoming album.

Cultural deejay Queen Ifrica, who was in New York recently to promote her new disc Montego Bay is also confirmed for Irie Jamboree 2k9. With a growing fans base and hits like Daddy, Lioness on the Rise, Keep It To Yourself and Below The Waist getting significant airplay in North America and Europe, the Fyah Muma is primed and ready to blaze the stage with another commanding set. Also gracing the Jamboree stage will be Big Ship recording artiste Freddy McGregor who will share the stage with his son Chino - whose song Never Change (From Mawnin') is definitely the single to watch - and label mate Laden, who garnered the spotlight with My Time.

Mr Vegas, who recently electrified reggae lovers in France and who is enjoying another phenomenal year with his brand new chart hit I Am Blessed and favourites like Hot Wuk, Tek Wey Youself, Heads High and We Nuh Want Nuh Friend From Dem will grace the Jamboree stage once again along with DJ Assassin and female DJ Spice.

One significant change that will be instituted by Team Irie Jamboree this year, is the moving of the event to an outdoor facility at York College on Guy R Brewer, located a few miles from Roy Wilkins Park, home of the event for the past six years.
"We really believe that we have found a home at York," said Steven Williams, CEO of Black Emperor Entertainment, co-producers of the event.

"Roy Wilkins has been a great venue for us, however, we could not ignored complaints from patrons about the lack of substantial park which is the main reason for the move", Williams said.

York College has a municipal park in close proximity and is just minutes from the NY Subway and Long Island Railroad which will greatly improve accessibility for many patrons who use mass transit to get and from the event annual.

"Our ultimate goal is to make the whole Irie Jamboree experience a memorable one for patrons and with this calculated move, we are one step closer to achieving our ultimate goal", Williams reiterated.

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