At this years Best of the Best, Memorial Weekend in Miami, Reggae superstar Beres Hammond got the Key to the City of Miami.(FL)

Beres lined up in a 10 hour show amongst artists like a.o. Beenie Man, Shaggy, Elephant Man, Sanchez, Konshens and Freddie McGregor.

Rockers Island and Massive B hosted the Seventh Annual Best of the Best on Memorial Weekend, May 26, 2013. The venue was in downtown Miami at Bayfront Park,  overlooking Biscayne Bay and famous Miami skyline. The weather was in full cooperation, not too hot and not much humidity for Miami in May.

This festival is billed as one of the largest Reggae, Hip Hop, R & B, , and Soca Festivals in North America today, with an attendance of  over 25,000 concert fans. Patrons flock to Miami  from all over the globe. Many New Yorkers visit Miami just for this occasion.

During Beres Hammond’s performance he received a key to the City of Miami and a Congressional Proclamation for his many contributions, both musical and philanthropic. Shaggy also joined Beres Hammond onstage as a  surprise guest, and the audience went wild. They performed a few duets, as well as much clowning onstage. Shaggy’s performance is never dull, and he thrilled the audience with his gyrating antics.

‘The Captain’ Freddy McGregor was well received, as was Sanchez. ‘The Doctor’, Beenie Man was a favorite amongst the audience. Elephant Man gave a mildly X rated set, calling on a ‘fluffy’ woman to help perform a bit of daggering with him. The young gals favorite Koshens didn’t disappoint his fans. It was pure excitement as he performed.

All in all,  Best of the Best 2013 was a huge success. I was hoping to see Cronixx and Cocoa Tea, but later found out they had visa issues ~ perhaps next year ~ Big up ‘Best of the Best’ production team for another organized and accomplished  concert.

Photos and text by Gail Zucker,