To launch Reggae Month celebrations in South Florida, the legendary reggae band Inner Circle hosted a spectacular media event last week at their Circle House Music Studios headquarters in Miami. Under the theme “Let’s Make Reggae Irie Again”, the Bad Boys of Reggae aim to celebrate, raise awareness, and promote the reggae music industry throughout February.
In that spirit, this year’s line-up of events includes tributes to Rohan Marley, Ky-Mani Marley, and Toots and The Maytals. Additionally, reggae ambassadors Third World and Kumar Fyah will be performing at one of the many upcoming events:
- 21 February – Reggae Jam featuring Third World and Kumar Fyah at the Fort Lauderdale Loop, Las Olas Oceanside Park
- 22 February – Family-Friendly Event at the Fort Lauderdale Loop, Las Olas Oceanside Park
- 23 February – Praise on the Green Gospel Extravaganza at Shirley Branca Park
Star-Studded Gathering
At the exclusive media launch event held at Circle House Music Studios on Wednesday, 29 January, from 12 pm to 3 pm, attendees heard from Inner Circle, Rohan Marley, Ky-Mani Marley, and members of the legendary Toots and The Maytals.
Not only was the event well attended, but it was also a star-studded affair, drawing top celebrities, government officials, and major figures in the media, including:
- Ian and Abebe Lewis (Inner Circle)
- Norris Webb and A.J. Boots Brown (Third World)
- Rohan, Ky-Mani, and Kastin Marley
- Oliver Mair, Jamaica’s Consul General to the Southern USA
- Don Yute and Tifa, Dancehall artists
- Drew Minott (Author of Prove ‘Em Wrong)
- Pat Montague (Award-winning radio host and CEO of Pat Montague Marketing & Promotions)
- David Muir (Photographer and co-founder of Island Space Caribbean Museum)
- Commissioner Maxwell Chambers (Miramar)
- Eddy Edwards (CEO of Jamaican Jerk Festival USA, Inc.)
- Jason Panton (Dubwise, creative designer, and culturalist)
- Lennie Chen (Former manager of Bob Marley and The Wailers)
- Marlon Farquharson (Visions Band)
- Amara La Negra and Maffio, Dominican musicians and media personalities
- Jesse Royal, Protoje, and the iconic Ernie Smith
Guests enjoyed complimentary light bites from Golden Krust, while beverages were provided by J.F. Haden’s Craft Liqueurs, founded by former NFL stars Maurkice and Mike Pouncey.
This exclusive event reaffirmed that Reggae Month South Florida is back in full force this year! Special thanks to Abebe Lewis and Inner Circle for their unwavering support in curating an exciting lineup of events celebrating Jamaican artists, businesses, and entrepreneurs across Fort Lauderdale, Miramar, Plantation, North Miami, and Davie.
Reggae Month was first celebrated in Jamaica in 2008, spearheaded by the Jamaica Reggae Industry Association (JaRIA). Reflecting on this year’s theme, Inner Circle’s Ian Lewis shared:
“We feel reggae is searching for the essence of its spiritual and cultural ethnicity. We want to keep the universal message of love alive and reach people from the heart. I want to bring back the essence. Let’s Make Reggae Irie Again.”
