Despite ongoing concerns surrounding Ventrice Morgan’s, aka Queen Ifrica, high-profile defamation lawsuit in Jamaica, filed by the family of ska legend Derrick Morgan, Jamaican born, New York-based radio host and event MC Clement “Ras Clem” Hume has rubbished them, stating that her upcoming New York performance will not be impacted.
Ras Clem told Caribbean Life on Monday, April 28, that the lawsuit and related media attention are “distractions,” emphasizing that Queen Ifrica’s personal matters should be separated from her music artistry.
“We all know that Queen Ifrica is an outspoken artist who addresses important social issues,” he said. “Let’s take her personal life out of this and focus on her performance on stage, the powerful messages in her music and also highlight her advocacy for pertinent issues like Jamaica’s Maroon community and broader social commentary that she is not afraid to speak about.
“I personally don’t think anything will affect her New York performance,” Ras Clem continued.
He said the lawsuit, Derrick Morgan v. Ventrice Morgan, concerns allegations Ifrica reportedly made in 2023 that the Morgan family claims have caused irreparable damage.
The case is scheduled for a “case management session” on May 8, 2025 in the Supreme Court in Kingston, Jamaica.
Ras Clem said Queen Ifrica is set to perform at the Westchester Reggae Festival on Sunday, Jun. 1, at the Westchester County Center, White Plains, New York.
He said she will be joined by reggae legends King Yellowman, Etana and singer Leroy Sibbles – all backed by Derrick Barnett and the Statement Band.
Speaking about the importance of Sibbles’ legendary status as an artist, Ras Clem said, “Leroy is just not playing music.
“He is an arranger, a producer, a talented musician and the ‘King of Basslines’ having played on some of the biggest songs in reggae,” he said. “He is also a solo singer, plus a former lead singer of the Heptones. It does not get much better than that.
“Leroy Sibbles is also one of the last few artists from our era that is still standing and delivering at a very high level,” Ras Clem added.
He also hailed Yellowman’s remarkable career, and Etana’s successful career, saying “Mr. Winson Foster, aka King Yellowman, is an amazing artist.
“He reigned supreme as ‘King Yello’ in the late 1970s -1980s with hits ‘I am Getting Married,’ ‘Mr. Chin,’ ‘Who Can Make the Dance Ram,’ ‘Zungguzungguguzungguzeng’, ‘Soldier Take Over,’ and ‘Nobody Move,’” Ras Clem said.
“The young and talented Etana has a nice catalogue as well and is probably the only female reggae artist to be nominated twice for a Reggae Grammy award,” he added.
