Today is International Reggae Day

Today is being celebrated as International Reggae Day, the day on which the world is invited to celebrate the best of Jamaica's music and creativity. With the goal of uniting people through music, IRD integrates media and technology each year as it highlights the power and impact of Jamaican music and reggae culture globally and honours important contributors to the growth and development of Jamaica's most invaluable export - its music.

"Disc jockeys, sound systems and reggae websites, it is your energy, creativity and passion for Jamaican music which will fuel the festival's appeal and impact," a release from festival conceptualiser Andrea Davis said.

IRD 2009 salutes Island Records as it celebrates its 50th anniversary and artiste/tour manager Copeland Forbes for their invaluable contribution to the internationalisation of Jamaican music and culture.

The artistes in Island Records Reggae story and Copeland Forbes' Reggae My Life Is story, represent a who's who of Jamaican music including Bob Marley and the Wailers, Mighty Diamonds, Black Uhuru, Peter Tosh, Jimmy Cliff, Dennis Brown, Marcia Griffiths, Toots and the Maytals, Third World, Luciano, Gregory Issacs, Burning Spear, Aswad, Linton Kwesi Johnson, Max Romeo, Ernie Ranglin, Grace Jones, Sly and Robbie, Beres Hammond and many others.

July 1 also marks the 10th anniversary of the passing of the Crown Prince of Reggae Dennis Emmanuel Brown and disc jocks are being requested to include significant mention of this artiste during IRD celebrations.

International Reggae Day 2009 is a totally virtual celebration which comes to life at midnight on July 1 at http://ireggaeday.com and through all participating media. All are encouraged to wear their Reggae "colour"- red, green and gold - on July 1, show their love for Jamaican culture and register their participation to ensure their country is represented in this global media festival.

Source: JamaicaObserver.com