Plantation, FL: South Florida will come alive with the pulsating sounds and dynamic history of Jamaican music at the 2nd annual Reggae Genealogy music festival on Sunday, February 2, 2025, from 4:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. The northeast parking lot at Broward Mall in Plantation will transform into a vibrant venue in celebration of Reggae Month. Tickets are available at reggaegenealogy.org/tickets.
Produced by Island SPACE Caribbean Museum, this family-friendly showcase will feature a rhythmic anthology of Jamaican music, enhanced by dancers, video commentary from legends, and a narrated storyline.
A Star-Studded Lineup with History-Making Highlights
In Act I, the playlist, performed live with the backing of Code Red Band, will journey through timeless hits representing mento, ska, Nyabinghi, rocksteady, lovers rock and reggae. Iconic performers like Ernie Smith, Eric “Monty” Morris, Wayne Armond, Ambelique, Shuga, and more will deliver standout performances alongside lead singer Bobby Rose and dancers from Carimer Theatre. The charismatic Jamaican Consul General Oliver Mair, whose theatrical flair will add vibrancy to the evening, will narrate.
The highlight of the retrospective part of the show will be a tribute set by Jerry Maytals & the Original Maytals Band honoring the legacy of Toots and the Maytals.
In Act II, the showcase will explore Jamaican music’s evolution and its influence on genres like dub, pop, reggaeton, and Afrobeats. In this future-focused segment, celebrity DJs DJ GQ of Y100, Walshy Fire of Major Lazer, and DJ Mekka Don of Tu 94.9 will spin sets featuring surprise performers and bringing fresh, contemporary stylings to this captivating celebration of reggae’s global impact.
Lifetime Achievement Awards
Island SPACE, the nation’s only Caribbean heritage museum, will honor three Jamaican music icons with Lifetime Achievement Awards, reprising a highlight from the 2024 Reggae Genealogy event. In 2025, the honorees will include Inner Circle, the “Bad Boys of Reggae”; Wayne Wonder, renowned for the timeless hit “No Letting Go”; and Donovan Germain, the legendary producer behind artists like Buju Banton and Beres Hammond.
In 2024, the awards celebrated an all-female lineup: “Miss Pat” Chin, co-founder of VP Records; Marcia Griffiths, the Queen of Reggae; and Cedella Marley, entrepreneur, author, and steward of the Marley legacy.
Donovan Germain transitioned from a reggae record shop owner to a producer in the late 1970s, founding Penthouse Records in 1988. Known for its sophisticated sound, Penthouse launched the careers of artists like Buju Banton and modernized classic riddims.
Wayne Wonder, born Von Wayne Charles, rose to prominence in the late 1980s with his soulful vocals and heartfelt lyrics. Hits like “Saddest Day” and “Bonafide Love” with Buju Banton set the stage for his 2003 global breakthrough “No Letting Go,” which earned a Grammy nomination and charted at No. 11 on the Billboard Hot 100.
Formed in 1968 by brothers Ian and Roger Lewis, Inner Circle found success with hits like “Sweat (A La La La La Long)” and “Bad Boys,” which became the theme for the TV show COPS and inspired the blockbuster movie franchise. The band remains active, operating Circle House Studios, where stars like Alicia Keys and Pharrell Williams have recorded.
Supporters and Other Activities
Ahead of the show, attendees can enjoy free museum tours, food, and shopping. Gates open at 4 p.m., with performances beginning at 6 p.m. Tickets range from $25 pre-sale to $75 VIP. For details, visit www.reggaegenealogy.org.
Reggae Genealogy is presented in partnership with Broward Mall and the City of Plantation, powered by Florida Power & Light Company (FPL) and made possible in part by the support of the Broward County Cultural Division, Grace Tropical Rhythms, the Institute of Museum and Library Services, Visit Lauderdale, Only the Best Printing, the Jamaica Tourist Board, Mabi Artisanal Tea, and the following funds at the Community Foundation of Broward: Judith Cornfeld Fund for the Arts, Helen and Frank Stoykov Charitable Endowment Fund and The Frederick A. DeLuca Foundation Broward Community Fund.
About Island SPACE
Island Society for the Promotion of Artistic and Cultural Education (Island SPACE) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to the advancement of arts, culture, history, and educational initiatives that represent the Caribbean region, in South Florida and the broader diaspora. The public is invited to visit the Caribbean museum Thursdays through Saturdays from 11:00 a.m. through 7:00 p.m. and Sundays from 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. General museum entry is $10 per adult and $5 per child. Visit www.islandspacefl.org to learn more.
