This weekend sees the winter edition of the bi-annual Amsterdam Reggae Festival featuring the best in dancehall and reggae. Vybz Kartel headlined the previous sold out event, which means – with Mr Vegas up there this time black and proud and defiantly antiskinbleaching – this time it’s all about the “laundry soap” wars. Watch those suds fly.
The night could also see some amazing onstage partnerships. Capleton gave Jah Cure his name, Jah Cure’s recent collaboration with Mavado “Like I See It” was terrific, and anyone who saw the Gully God’s appearance in Chris Brown’s set at Sumfest 2010 knows how he can suddenly electrify an audience.
Skin lightening creams have become one of the hottest topics in Jamaica following Vybz Kartel’s decision to bleach his skin, claiming it’s the result of using “Cake Soap”, the island’s best known laundry soap-bar. The practice of Jamaicans going Michael Jackson and shunning their own skin colour has been slammed not only by health campaigners but by the newly consciouslyric focused Mr Vegas. His recent track “Black and Proud” was widely interpreted as a direct comeback on Kartel.
Hit factory Mavado (“So Special”, “Come Into My Room”) hasn’t released an album since 2009 despite hit single after hit single, but he’s got one due this year, and will be giving the Amsterdam crowd a heads up on its contents.
Many dancehall artists find themselves behind bars for a few weeks every now and again, but for Jah Cure we’re talking eight years. Constantly claiming innocence, while inside he got access to recording equipment and cut the tracks “Jamaica” and “Longing For” which became Jamaican number ones. He was released three years ago.
For a newish festival Amsterdam’s got off to a good start, including a sellout in 2010 with Sizzla, Vybz Kartel and Barrington Levi. Saturday’s bill will also include Holland’s own dancehall sensation Kalibwoy, who won the biggest Dutch music competition ‘Grote Prijs van Nederland’.
Tickets (from 45 euros) are still available at www.ticketservice.nl
Words by Reshma B (www.reggaegirlabouttown.com)
Stay tuned to ClashMusic.com for coverage from the Amsterdam Reggae Festival.
AMSTERDAM REGGAE FESTIVAL
Saturday 12 Feb 2011 Heineken Music Hall, Amsterdam
Mavado, Mr Vegas, Capleton, Jah Cure, Kalibwoy
Doors 1800 Show 1900 Tickets from www.ticketservice.nl
