Reggae Sumfest boss Josef “Joe” Bogdanovich says he’s delighted to book YG Marley, son of singer Lauryn Hill and Rohan Marley, to perform at Reggae Sumfest in Montego Bay, Jamaica on Friday, July 19.
“Reggae Sumfest will feel the energy of YG Marley and his positive and youthful stance, Bogdanovich told Caribbean Life on Monday.
Jamaican entertainment publicist Anthony Turner said that YG Marley – the grandson of the legendary Bob Marley who grew up in South Orange, NJ – rose to stardom with his reggae hit “Praise Jah In The Moonlight” that samples Bob Marley’s hit “Crisis.”
New York-based Turner said the song entered the top 40 of the Billboard Hot 100, and peaked within the top 10 in the United Kingdom, New Zealand, Norway and Sweden.
YG, in late 2023, began performing “Praise Jah in the Moonlight,” during his mother’s 25th anniversary of The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill tour, Turner said.
He said video clips from his performances went viral on TikTok. The single was officially released on Christmas Day 2023.
Based on the popularity of the song, YG was booked to perform at the 2024 Coachella music festival in California, which is where Bogdanovich saw him perform live, Turner said.
“It will be an out of this world experience when he hits the Sumfest stage,” Bogdanovich said.
Turner said that it was on July 7, 1979, 45 years ago, that YG’s grandad Bob Marley created history in Montego Bay. He was mobbed by fans at what was his last performance on Jamaican soil, Turner said.
He said the Reggae King, backed by The Wailers band, enthralled fans with hits such as “Jamming,” “Get Up, Stand Up” and “No Woman No Cry.”
“He (YG) has a big opportunity to make a big difference with the new generation at Reggae Sumfest 2024,” Bogdanovich said.
Turner said, while YG’s mom is not booked for Reggae Sumfest, “many feel she will join her son on stage for an impromptu performance.”
“At Coachella, YG brought out hip hop legend Busta Rhymes and engaged in a partial reunion of the Fugees with his mom that created an astounding performance for fans,” Turner said.
