Comar ‘Frankie’ Campbell, founder and organiser of the Essence of Reggae Music Festival says this Saturday’s staging will be unlike anything music lovers have experienced before. Comar’s label ‘Frankie Music’ is known for producing hits like Koffee’s “Raggamuffin” and “Throne”, which helped launch her career. He also worked on Jesse Royal’s “Finally” and Kumar’s “Journey”, along with popular riddims like General A General Riddim (2018) and Milestone Riddim (2017).
“This year, we’ve taken everything up a notch—from production quality to artist bookings and overall experience. We listened to feedback from last year and made adjustments to improve crowd flow, sound quality, and even the food and drink offerings. Expect bigger performances, better stage designs, and a few surprises that we can’t wait to reveal. One of the biggest changes is the venue—we’ve moved to the Ranny Williams Entertainment Centre, which offers a more spacious and comfortable setting for both the audience and performers. This location allows us to enhance the overall festival experience while maintaining the vibrant energy our patrons love,” Campbell told World A Reggae when asked.
Slated for the Ranny Williams Entertainment Centre in St Andrew, the festival will feature I-Wayne, Singer J, Munga Honorable, Yaksta, Tanya Stephens, and Lutan Fyah. ALso DJ Kurt Riley and JJ Wizzle will take care of the Entertainment next the performances.
Prior to showtime, there will be a music business workshop between 12:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
In the meantime, Campbell noted that there was intentionality in choosing the lineup in order to curate the desired atmosphere.
“We wanted to create a lineup that highlighted talent that has invested a great deal of thier talent into the culture, Our goal is always to highlight diverse talent while keeping the energy high from start to finish. We also made a conscious effort to include names that aren’t often seen live and provide a sense of nostalgia,” he explained.
The organiser further noted that he and his team are pulling out all the stops for a successful event, bearing in mind the intricacies that the process entails.
“Preparations have been intense but exciting. The team has been working around the clock to make sure every detail is perfect. Ticket sales have been steady, and we’re seeing a lot of international interest this year, which speaks to the festival’s growing reputation. We’re confident this will be our biggest turnout yet, especially with the merging of cultural elements; sports, art, music, etcetera,” Campbell said.
He also commented on the importance of the festival and those of its kind in the retention of authentic Jamaican culture.
“Festivals are more than just entertainment—they’re cultural movements. They provide a space for creative expression, community connection, and economic opportunity. Music and art have always been at the heart of our identity, and these events help preserve and push the culture forward, giving both artists and fans a space to celebrate and grow together,” the organiser added.
By Kediesha Perry
