Jamaica’s impactful entertainment industry
WHAT IS known today of the King of Reggae was unimaginable when he launched his career with the Wailers one year postindependence.
Following the disbandment of the Wailers in 1974, Bob Marley pursued a solo career while living in England that would later see him elevated as one of the world’s bestselling artists of all time, with more than 75 million records sold.
Arguably the most iconic entertainer of all time, Marley remains the international face of Jamaican entertainment decades after his passing.
To list a few, Louise BennettCoverley, Charles Hyatt, Carl Bradshaw, Jimmy Cliff, Peter Tosh, Sean Paul, Shaggy, Marcia Griffiths, and Judy Mowatt are entertainers who have left an indelible mark on the realm of entertainment.
Event-wise, shows such as the internationally acclaimed Reggae Sumfest and Sting are decades old and continue to evolve to maintain relevance.
The international pulling power of these events is made evident yearly, with the likes of Celine Dion, Mariah Carey, and Kenny Rogers performing in recent years along with youth-friendly acts such as Usher, Chris Brown, and 2 Chainz.
The brainchild of modelling agency Pulse, Caribbean Fashion Week also boosts Jamaica’s international profile, with a bevy of fashion industry players flocking to the island to showcase their
“One good thing about music, when it hits you, you feel no pain.” – Robert Nesta Marley
creations and network with upcoming locals.
The transition of dances from a cultural, ancestry standpoint to that of a coordinated, energetic display of joy in the 21st century has also appealed to locals and foreigners.
Fittingly, there’s no better time of the year to experience true Jamaican entertainment than the Independence period.
Though the subject of many debates in current day for its specific messages or dynamics of change, without a doubt, after 55 years of evolution, Jamaica’s entertainment industry remains fruitful and impactful.