While Downsound Entertainment (DSE) head honcho Josef “Joe” Bogdanovich was in New York recently, knee-deep in the planning of Reggae Sumfest 2024, he took time out of his schedule to congratulate visually-impaired singer Nigy Boy on his academic accomplishment.
Nigy Boy graduated with a double Bachelor of Arts degrees in political science and history with honors from Stony Brook University.
“Nigy Boy’s academic achievement must be applauded,” Bogdanovich told Caribbean Life on Tuesday, stating that “it not all the time we see dancehall acts graduating with a bachelor’s degree.
“Education provides opportunity, and Nigy Boy was quick to grasp that,” he added. “I think Nigy Boy will continue to give inspiration to his fans and everyone who enjoys good music.”
Since becoming a global superstar, Nigy has been globetrotting, performing in Guyana, St. Kitts, Bahamas, St. Lucia, Grenada, Jamaica and to a packed house at the USB arena in Queens recently.
He will perform on Night 2 of this year’s Reggae Sumfest festival, which takes place on Saturday, July 20 at Catherine Hall in Montego Bay. Nigy Boy will perform at the festival alongside headliners Babyface, Beres Hammond, Anthony B, Luciano, D’yani, Norris Man, Ras I, Sevana, Wickeman/Daddy Lizard/Peter Metro/Anthony Malvo, Christopher Ellis and more.
Speaking about the promotion of the festival for 2024, Bogdanovich told Caribbean Life that he is pulling out all the stops to market and promote the festival.
He said that his team has secured digital advertising coverage on billboards in New York’s iconic Times Square, as well as in Toronto, Canada and even in Gambia.
Reggae Sumfest will also have popups in Atlanta and Florida, and will stage a mammoth launch party at the Iberostar Hotel in Montego Bay this week.
On the importance of young acts delivering a solid performance on the Sumfest stage, Bogdanovich said, “It’s important for the young artists to know that the Sumfest stage is the first stage where they must prove their talent.
“Some get it right the first time, and some have to work their way up again if the opportunity still exists,” he added.
Bogdanovich said his team is paying special attention to the Global Sound Clash, scheduled for Wednesday, July 17.
“It will be epic,” he said. “The team is pushing this one hard, reaching out to fans not only in Mobay proper but ones in Trelawny and those living in the hills and as far as in the countryside of St. Elizabeth and beyond.
“Thursday, July 19 is something new with an event called Sumfest/Rumfest/Blitz,” Bogdanovich added. “It starts at 1pm at the Catherine Hall stadium with various Jamaican rums from local producers, with a variety of wine tasting, seminars on its production capped off with a performance from Moses Davis aka Beenie Man. `
“Then, around 8 p.m. to 2a.m., Rumfest elevates to the Biltz featuring Walshy Fire from Major Lazer, and a mix of EDM, Afro Beats and Dancehall selectors,” he continued. “This is two events for the price of one Reggae Sumfest event.”
