Full slate for VP’S 40th
A year-long calendar of activities has been announced to celebrate the 40th anniversary of VP Records.
The year will see a variety of music and cultural events, products, historical exhibits and experiences, in Jamaica, across the US, Toronto, Canada and London, England.
“VP is integral to the history of reggae and dancehall music. We take this responsibility seriously and we are using our 40th anniversary to celebrate the music’s rich heritage as we steward the genre into the future,” said company President Randy Chin. “A major focus for the anniversary is highlighting the company’s commitment to the development, promotion, and globalisation of Jamaican music.”
The company kicks off its anniversary celebrations with a return to its homeland of Jamaica in January for Strictly The Best – LIVE Montego Bay on January 30, continuing into the summer with a historical exhibit titled A Reggae Music Journey at the Sangster International Airport in Montego Bay. The exhibition will move to Kingston’s Norman Manley International Airport in June through to the end of the year.
Stateside, VP will launch The Reggae Trail, an interactive digital experience that features a map of historical locations throughout the five boroughs of New York City central to the growth of the Jamaican music industry and VP Records.
In April there will be Record Store Day to commemorate the annual celebration of vinyl culture. Four newly issued vinyl exclusives are expected to be released. VP Records will present a live sound system showcase at its retail outlets in New York and Florida. There will also be at least three major live concerts in the New York City area this summer, including the 9th staging of the Grace Jamaican Jerk Festival at Roy Wilkins Park in Queens on Sunday, July 21.
A box set drawn from the vast catalogue of hits and rarities from VP Records is also being considered.
VP Records has been at the heart of reggae, dancehall and soca for 40 years sharing the music of Dennis Brown, Barrington Levy, Freddie Mcgregor, Sean Paul, Beenie Man, Lady Saw, Tarrus Riley, and a host of others.