Jamaican reggae legends for Lion Lager Beer Festival

on Thursday ahead of the Lion Lager Beer Festival to be held in Harare and Bulawayo.
The trio are set to headline the Harare affair on Saturday at the Glamis Arena in a gig that is set to leave local reggae music lovers talking for a long time while it will be a notch up for local artistes Winky D, Mic Inity and Suluman Chimbetu.

The three local artistes are set to bring a local flavour to the show that will see revellers enjoying the Lion Lager brand together with a dose of what is without doubt a line-up of three of the world’s best reggae icons.
Sandra Madovi, Delta Beverages brand manager, said the Lion Lager Beer Festival – now in its third edition – was this year promising more fireworks than the previous editions.
“This year we are promising fireworks. We have raised the bar even further by bringing the Jamaican reggae greats while there will be a local flavour in the form of Suluman Chimbetu, Winky D and Mic Inity.

“There is also going to be a Djs competition whereby DJ Scott, DJ Squilla, DJ VJ, DJ Chuckie and DJ Flavour. Last year the DJs competition was won by Dee Vine and he is going to hand over the crown to the new winner.
“The three top Jamaican crooners will then feature at a press conference to be held at the Rainbow Towers in Harare on Friday,” Madovi said.

The three top Jamaican crooners will then feature at a press conference to be held at the Rainbow Towers in Harare on Friday.
Madovi also revealed that Delta Beverages had also decided to reward its consumers by holding another festival at Hartsfield Rugby Field in Bulawayo on October 22.
“Delta Beverages also decided to reward its consumers by holding the first Lion Lager Beer Festival in Bulawayo at Hartsfield Rugby Field on October 22 because we felt that the people of Bulawayo, who are also consumers of the brand, want to be part of the festival.

“However, only Cocoa Tea and Fantan Mojah backed by their live band The Jah Band will play in Bulawayo supported by Jayz Marabini, Chase Skuza, Suluman Chimbetu and Mic Inity,” she said.
Show-goers will have to pay US$10 at the gate while the first 200 people to come to the show will stand a chance to walk away with free Delta Beverages products and T-shirts, according to Madovi.
The first edition of the Lion Lager Beer Festival was held at the Old Hararians in 2009 with a line-up of local artistes only – Tongai Moyo, Suluman Chimbetu, Victor Kunonga and Madiz.

It also had a DJs competition that saw DJ Elroy being voted the best DJ.
It attracted about 6 000 people, according to Madovi.
“We then decided to raise the bar higher during the second edition of the same festival held last year at the same venue (Old Hararians) where international artiste Beenie Man was the star crowd puller together

with Suluman Chimbetu, Winky D and Madiz.
“Cindy raised the flag higher for local female artistes at the festival when she did duets with Beenie Man on three songs. It was attended by 9 700 people,” Madovi said.

Beres Hammond – whose real name is Hugh Beresford Hammond – was born on August 25, 1955, in Annotto Bay, Saint Mary, Jamaica.
The artiste is famous for his lovers rock songs and has a catalogue of hit albums to his name that include “Cant Stop A Man,” “Something Old, Something New,” “Reggae’s Perfect Combinations Vol 1” and “Strictly The Best” among others.

On the other hand, Cocoa T is not new to reggae music circles, having unleashed a string of hits that have made him one of the icons in the genre.
He was born Calvin George Scott on September 3, 1959 in Kingston, Jamaica.

In 2008, he released a single titled “Barack Obama” that heaped praise on and support on the now United States president.
“Reggae Anthology,” “Rocking Dolly,” “Sweet Sweet Cocoa Tea,” “Settle Down,” “Biological Warfare” and “Yes We Can” are some of his albums that made him a household name.

Fantan Mojah – also known as the King in reggae music circles, is popular for his socially conscious lyrics that are pregnant with positive messages.
His albums “Hail The King” (2005) and “Stronger” released in 2008 are some of the hits that put this gifted crooner on the world map.