Stacious makes emotional return to Reggae Sumfest, celebrates dancehall unity
Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.
At a glance
- Dancehall artist Stacious made an emotional return to the Reggae Sumfest stage as a surprise guest during Mavado's set.
- Her appearance marked a significant moment, celebrating unity between dancehall artists Mavado and Vybz Kartel, who performed together for the first time in years.
- Stacious expressed her joy at being back on the festival stage after a long absence and is now focusing on new music.
Stacious delivered an emotional performance at Reggae Sumfest, returning to the iconic stage as a surprise guest during Mavado's set. Her appearance was more than just a comeback; it was a pivotal moment in the festival's history, contributing to a powerful display of unity within the dancehall community.
I canโt remember the last time I did Sumfest. I know Iโve done the show three times in the past, but I canโt remember when was the last time. Itโs a good feeling being back.
The performance was particularly significant as it coincided with Mavado's historic showcase alongside fellow headliner Vybz Kartel. This collaboration marked a new chapter, celebrating reconciliation and shared stage presence over past rivalries, a sentiment that resonated deeply with the audience.
Reflecting on her return, Stacious shared her excitement with the Jamaica Observer. "I canโt remember the last time I did Sumfest... Itโs a good feeling being back," she stated, emphasizing the personal and cultural significance of the moment. She noted the rarity of Mavado performing in Jamaica and their own long-standing professional relationship, having not performed together in over a decade.
Iโm here tonight not just as an artiste, but as a fan of dancehall because Gully/Gaza did a run road, and now both deejays will come together in unity on one stage. Itโs an honour to be a part of it.
Stacious, a prominent female voice in dancehall during the late 2000s and early 2010s, used her surprise appearance to signal her continued relevance and future contributions to the genre. While embracing the nostalgia of the moment, she is now focused on releasing new music, including her latest singles "Tears" and "Velvet Sweetheart," and reconnecting with her fanbase across digital platforms.
Mavado also hasnโt performed in Jamaica for a while and Iโm here to witness the return of the Gully Gad, so itโs a great night. Mavado and I havenโt performed together in maybe over 10 years, so itโs been a long time. The awesome thing is that itโs always good when we connect, and we enjoyed ourselves, which was most important.
Originally published by Jamaica Observer in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.