Sumfest executives Walter Elmore (right) and Johnny Gourzong (left) present a framed citation and plaque to Dancehall King Beenie Man on Dancehall Night at Reggae Sumfest. - Photo by Adrian Frater

WESTERN BUREAU: Not even the coveted Grammy Awards gave Moses 'Beenie Man' Davis the awe-inspiring feeling he experienced last Friday morning when the 'greatest reggae show on earth', Reggae Sumfest, honoured him for 30 illustrious years of contribution to reggae music.

"A king is supposed to get honoured in his own country," stated the King of Dancehall, minutes after delivering an intoxicating, yet shortened, set at the biggest Dancehall Night in the 17-year history of the show at the Catherine Hall Entertainment Centre in Montego Bay.

overwhelming

"To get the honour on the emperor's (Haile Selassie) birthday is even more momentous. It's overwhelming, there is nothing that compares to it, not even the Grammy that I received," Beenie Man, a member of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church, told The Sunday Gleaner.

"Since he exploded on the dancehall scene, he has generated hit after hit, maintaining his supremacy as King of the Dancehall, despite attempts to unseat him," the directors of Summerfest Productions said in a statement in their tribute to him onstage.

One man in the audience shouted, "A fi him show; a him own Sumfest."

"In this his 30th year in the music industry, it is only fitting to recognise his undeniable contribution to the development of dancehall and his role in promoting Jamaica's culture to international audiences," Beenie Man's citation read.

"Beenie Man embodies the ideals promoted by the directors of Reggae Sumfest. Perhaps it is these qualities that we hold in common that have sustained Beenie Man's dedication to the 17-year-old festival."

For Beenie Man, the much-anticipated tribute was also the precursor to the 30th anniversary celebration which continues on his birthday, August 22, at the National Stadium in Kingston at the event tagged Summer Sizzle.

He said some 5,000 of his fans would have the opportunity to win tickets to the event through a special promotion with LIME.

star-studded line-up

Beenie Man a star-studded line-up that includes overseas acts, former first lady of G-Unit, Olivia, rappers Ric Ross and Hurricane Chris, and local A-listers Capleton, the scorching Sizzler, I-Octane, Queen of the Dancehall, Lady Saw, Ce'Cile, the indomitable Vybz Kartel and many others who will give back to his charity.

"Part proceeds from the concert will go towards building the Waterhouse Ethiopian Orthodox Basic School," he revealed.

The school, which is located next to the home where he was born, is a project he started five years ago but had to stop because of violence.

Uncertain of the costs associated with the completion, he estimates that he will pump at least $7 million into the construction of the school with help from his Ethiopian Orthodox family, while the provision of desks, chairs, blackboards and other amenities are yet to be finalised.

One thing he is sure of is that on Saturday, August 22, he will add that last drop of sizzle to the end of summer.

It was clearly fun time for D'Angel as she gallivants between the props (a settee and a vertical sliding pole). - Photo by Adrian Frater

janet.silvera@gleanerjm.com