For more than four decades, two events have defined Jamaica’s live music culture more than any others: Reggae Sunsplash and Sting.
Although Jamaica had hosted concerts, sound system dances, and talent shows for many years before them, these two productions transformed live reggae and dancehall into internationally recognized entertainment brands. One introduced reggae to the world. The other became the ultimate proving ground for dancehall artists.
Reggae Sunsplash (1978)
Jamaica’s First Major International Reggae Festival
Reggae Sunsplash debuted at Jarrett Park in Montego Bay from June 23–30, 1978. It is widely recognized as Jamaica’s first annual international reggae festival and marked the beginning of reggae tourism on a global scale.
The Vision
The festival was created by Synergy Productions Ltd, founded by four Jamaican entrepreneurs:
Tony Johnson
Don Green
Ronnie Burke
John Wakeling
Their goal was ambitious: attract visitors during Jamaica’s traditionally slow summer tourism season while showcasing reggae music on an international stage. With support from the Jamaica Tourist Board and tourism executive Peter Martin, they promoted the event worldwide under the slogan “The Biggest Reggae Festival in the History of the World.”
Early Featured Artists
The inaugural festival featured many of Jamaica’s leading performers, including:
Jimmy Cliff (headliner)
Dennis Brown
Third World
Inner Circle
Toots & The Maytals
Within a year, the festival had expanded even further, bringing together artists such as:
Bob Marley & The Wailers
Peter Tosh
Burning Spear
Big Youth
Marcia Griffiths
Third World
Over the following decade, nearly every major reggae star performed on the Sunsplash stage.
Who Hosted Reggae Sunsplash?
Unlike modern festivals with one permanent host, Reggae Sunsplash used multiple masters of ceremonies, radio personalities, presenters, and guest announcers across different nights. The historical record does not identify a single official MC for the inaugural 1978 festival, and different presenters were used throughout the event.
Why It Changed History
Reggae Sunsplash accomplished something no Jamaican music event had previously achieved:
Established reggae as an international festival genre.
Attracted thousands of overseas visitors to Jamaica.
Helped create Jamaica’s summer music tourism market.
Produced concert films and live albums distributed around the world.
Inspired reggae festivals across Europe, North America, Japan, and beyond.
For many international fans, Reggae Sunsplash became their first introduction to authentic live Jamaican reggae.
Sting (1984)
The Birth of the Ultimate Dancehall Stage Show
While Reggae Sunsplash became reggae’s global showcase, Sting became dancehall’s battlefield.
The event evolved from a dance first staged in 1982 before being relaunched as the concert known simply as Sting in 1984 by legendary promoter Isaiah Laing, founder of Supreme Promotions.
Sting quickly earned its famous slogan:
“The Greatest One Night Reggae and Dancehall Show on Earth.”
The Promoter
Unlike Sunsplash’s committee approach, Sting had one dominant driving force:
Isaiah Laing
His vision was to create a Christmas-time event where Jamaica’s biggest artists would perform on one stage while giving newcomers the opportunity to break into the industry.
Artists Who Defined Sting
Throughout its history, Sting featured virtually every major reggae and dancehall star, including:
Yellowman
Shabba Ranks
Ninja Man
Super Cat
Bounty Killer
Beenie Man
Capleton
Sizzla
Buju Banton
Cobra
Lady Saw
Elephant Man
Vybz Kartel
Mavado
Aidonia
Busy Signal
Assassin
Sizzla Kalonji
The show became especially famous for lyrical clashes, surprise appearances, and career-defining performances.
Many artists earned national recognition after unforgettable Sting performances.
Masters of Ceremony
Sting featured numerous respected MCs over the years rather than one permanent host. Well-known Jamaican radio personalities and entertainers regularly shared hosting duties, introducing artists and managing the fast-paced programme. Because the hosting lineup changed from year to year, there is no single official MC associated with every Sting event.
Why Sting Became Legendary
Sting changed dancehall forever by:
Making lyrical clashes a mainstream attraction.
Launching the careers of emerging artists.
Bringing together rival performers on one stage.
Becoming Jamaica’s most talked-about live music event every Christmas season.
Creating unforgettable moments in reggae and dancehall history.
Two Events, One Legacy
Although they served different audiences, Reggae Sunsplash and Sting became two pillars of Jamaican music.
Reggae Sunsplash introduced reggae to the world and transformed Jamaica into a destination for music tourism.
Sting elevated dancehall performance, competition, and stagecraft, becoming the benchmark for live dancehall entertainment.
Together, these two events helped shape the global reputation of Jamaican music and inspired countless festivals that followed.
Their influence can still be seen today in events such as Reggae Sumfest, Rebel Salute, and numerous reggae and dancehall festivals held across Europe, North America, Africa, and Asia.
Sources: Historical records from Reggae Sunsplash archives, the Jamaica Observer, and festival documentation.