The first wave of artistes who have been confirmed to perform at the 2020 St. Kitts Music Festival, was announced in Basseterre on Wednesday, 4th December, during a live media launch at the Ocean terrace Inn.
The Organizing Committee said that they will be using three different ‘waves’ to unveil the full line-up an that this initial announcement will soon be followed by a second on 21st December, with the final coming in January.
At today’s (Wednesday), launch, three artistes were released, including international reggae super sensation, Jimmy Cliff, who has been one of the main ambassadors for reggae music across continents.
Cliff, whose real name James Chambers, is one of the pioneers of the ska and reggae music, and is a multi-instrumentalist, singer and actor.
One of his major starring roles was in a film called, “Harder they come”. Among his catalogue of hits are Many Rivers to Cross, I can see clearly now, Reggae Night and the Harder they come.
Jimmy Cliff started his career in 1962.
Also announced were Koffee and WizKid.
Koffee, who is a 19-year-old Jamaican rising star, burst on to the scene in 2017 when she penned and performed a special tribute song for Usain Bolt, to celebrate his athletic triumphs on the world stage.
Koffee, whose real name is Mikayla Simpson, is a dancehall and reggae artiste from Spanish Town Jamaica.
Already, she has copped several hit songs including Toast and Ragamuffin.
It was her appearance with veteran reggae singer, Cocoa Tea, at the Reggae Salute festival, that truly gave her the much-deserved breakthrough, after starting her career singing at various high schools.
The committee also announced Nigerian singer and songwriter, WizKid, whose real name is Ayodeji Ibrahim Balogun.
The 29-year old Nigerian started his career at age 11 and rose to prominence with a hit titled “Holla at Your Boys”.
WizKid became the first Nigerian artiste to have over 1 million followers on Twitter.
But it was his collaboration with American artiste, Drake, in 2016, that gave WizKid international recognition, with a song called “One Dance” which became a global hit.
He is the second Nigerian artiste to be included on the line-up of the St. Kitts Music Festival. In 2019, Davido made his appearance and wowed the Caribbean audience.
WizKid has also produced songs such as Brown Skin Girl, Ghetto Love and Joro.
The 2020 St. Kitts Music festival will be held from Wednesday, 24th – Sunday, 28th June.
At the ceremony, remarks were also be provided by the Chairman of the Festival Committee, Mr. Damion Hobson, Chairman of Productions/Artistes Selection, Ambassador Jonel Powell, CEO of the St. Kitts Tourism Authority, Ms. Racquel Brown, and the Chairman of Marketing, Mr. Val Henry.