
Reggae Sumfest 2011 Feat. Mavado, Vybz Kartel, Nicki Minaj, Bunny Wailer and More

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Reggae Sumfest 2011: Bounty Killer

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Reggae Sumfest 2011: Mavado
The Long-Distance Stulla invites Niki, one of his legions of female admirers, on stage at Reggae Sumfest 2011. Photo by Radcliffe Roye.
Next up was the Gully Gaad, fresh from foreign where he Mavado had been enjoying his recently reinstated visa. As he thrilled the crowd with boomshots like "Fly Again" and "Delilah," the Starbwoy was kind enough to remove some of his new gear and throw it to the audience—exiting the stage in true Gully style: barefoot with cut-off jeans and a tank top.

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Reggae Sumfest 2011: Vybz Kartel
The task of closing Dancehall Night 2011 fell to the Gaza Worlboss himself. By the morning light, his skin was pretty like a coloring book. Photo by Racliffe Roye.
Finally it was time for the Worlboss aka Vybz Kartel, who held the crowd till the dawn's early light, giving much shine to Gaza Empire artists like Popcaan, Sheba, Vanessa Bling, and new recruit Tommy Lee on the same night that his former protege Jah Vinci made his solo debut on the Sumfest stage. But clearly Kartel was not tripping: "As one gone," he said, "another one born."

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Reggae Sumfest 2011: Beres Hammond
To say that Beres Hammond had the ladies eating out of his hand at Reggae Sumfest 2011 wouldn't be a lie. Photo by Radcliffe Roye
A funny thing happened in the run-up to International Night 1: after a last-minute cancellation by headliner R.Kelly, who was reportedly suffering from a throat ailment, Reggae Sumfest promoters had 48 hours to scramble and find a replacement for the Pied Piper of R&B. After scouring the whole world for options, they decided to call on two legends of Jamaican music: Cocoa Tea and Bunny Wailer, both of whom performed brilliantly along with the island's #1 soul man Beres Hammond—who was honored with a Reggae Icon Award this year. Cocoa Tea did not hesitate to needle Sumfest management for calling him in on a last-minute rescue mission, asking the crowd over and over "Do you miss R.Kelly?" Some of the night's other standouts included Christopher Martin, Half Pint, and Tanya Stephens, whose fearless songwriting addresses topics that some women won't dare to discuss even among their closest friends. Tanya's pungent performance and kick-ass boots definitely left a lasting impression. But nobody could surpass sixty-something-year-old Bunny Wailer's two-hour-plus set—ranging from solo hits like "Cool Runnings" and "Ballroom Floor" to Wailers classics like "Simmer Down," "Dancing Shoes" and "Trenchtown Rock." Although much of the crowd had gone home, those who remained were treated to a legendary performance, skanking tirelessly in his Rasta finery as the morning sun beat down, Bunny and his band—complete with a live horn section—put the exclamation point on an evening that shall forever be remembered as International Reggae Night. Friday night was more than a great show, it was also a great opportunity for debate and discussion about Reggae Sumfest's mission as it moves into its 20th anniversary next year.

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Reggae Sumfest 2011: Beres Hammond
Jamaica's #1 Soul Man receives a Reggae Icon Award onstage at Reggae Sumfest 2011. Photo by Radcliffe Roye

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Reggae Sumfest 2011: Jah Cure
Jah Cure lets the spirit move him on International Night 2 at Reggae Sumfest 2011. Photo by Radcliffe Roye.

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Sumfest 2011: Jah Cure
Iya Cure soaks up some unconditional love on the final night of Reggae Sumfest 2011. Photo by Radcliffe Roye.

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Reggae Sumfest 2011: Mya & Wayne Wonder
Mya joins Wanye Wonder to perform their duet "If I Ever" on the final night of Sumfest 2011. Photo by Radcliffe Roye.

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Sumfest 2011: Wayne Wonder
Dancehall superstar Wayne Wonder busts the place on International Night 2 at Reggae Sumfest 2011. Photo by Radcliffe Roye.

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Reggae Sumfest 2011: Gyptian
Gyptian takes flight on the final night of Reggae Sumfest 2011. Photo by Radcliffe Roye.

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Reggae Sumfest 2011: Gyptian
Gyptian brings the Purple Reign to Reggae Sumfest 2011. Photo by Radcliffe Roye.

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Reggae Sumfest 2011: Turbulence
Turbulence could have been one of the most notorious... The Rasta DJ rocks the final night of Reggae Sumfest 2011. Photo by Radcliffe Roye.

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Reggae Sumfest 2011: Bunny Wailer
The legendary Bunny Wailer shows off his Rasta regalia by the dawn's early light Reggae Sumfest 2011. Photo by Radcliffe Roye.

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Reggae Sumfest 2011: Half Pint
The original raggamuffin soldier Half Pint sends "Greetings" to the Reggae Sumfest posse.

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Reggae Sumfest 2011: Cocoa Tea
The original dancehall master Cocoa Tea stepped in to fill R.Kelly's shoes at Reggae Sumfest 2011.

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Reggae Sumfest 2011: Cocoa Tea
Once the audience tuned in to Cocoa Tea's oh-so-sweet sound, they seemed to forget all about the Pied Piper. Photo by Radcliffe Roye.

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Reggae Sumfest 2011: Tanya Stephens
Dancehall dominatrix Tanya Stephens test out whether the Reggae Sumfest crowd can "Handle The Ride." Photo by Radcliffe Roye

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Reggae Sumfest 2011: Christopher Martin
Christopher Martin got his start on the Jamaican talent show Digicel Rising Stars and hasn't looked back. Here he rocks the final night of Reggae Sumfest 2011. Photo by Radcliffe Roye

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Reggae Sumfest 2011: Vybz Kartel
Vyba Kartel surveys the damage after an unfortunate run-in with an oversize mampie on Dancehall Night at Sumfest 2011. Photo by Radcliffe Roye

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Reggae Sumfest 2011: Vybz Kartel
Vybz Kartel braces for impact during his closing set on Dancehall Night at Reggae Sumfest 2011. Photo by Radcliffe Roye.

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Sumfest
Cecile dazzles on Dancehall Night at Reggae Sumfest 2011. Her latest
album, "Jamaicanization," drops later this year.

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Reggae Sumfest 2011: Mavado
Fresh from foreign, the starbwoy stepped up his game for Dancehall Night 2011. Photo by Radcliffe Roye

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Reggae Sumfest 2011: Beenie Man
The Doctor checks one of his dancer's vital signs on Dancehall Night at Reggae Sumfest 2011. Photo by Radcliffe Roye

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Sunfest Beenie&FemaleDJ

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Reggae Sumfest 2011: Beenie Man
Beenie Man stepped onstage in full mack daddy attire at Reggae Sumfest 2011. Photo by Radcliffe Roye

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Reggae Sumfest 2011: Agent Sasco
Whether you call him Agent Sasco or Assassin, there's no denying that the DJ was lyrically armed and dangerous on Dancehall Night at Reggae Sumfest 2011.

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Reggae Sumfest 2011: Elephant Man
The Energy God was channeling Captain America at Dancehall Night 2011, but the sounds were straight yardcore. Photo by Radcliffe Roye.

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Reggae Sumfest 2011: Konshens
Konshens gets it poppin inna Trey Songz stylee on Dancehall Night on Reggae Sumfest 2011. Photo by Radcliffe Roye

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Reggae Sumfest 2011: Spice
Rocking mirrored platforms and an Angela-Davis-meets-Marge-Simpson wig, "Mad Gyal" Spice upped the style ante on Dancehall Night at Reggae Sumfest 2011.

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Reggae Sumfest 2011: Jah Vinci
Shortly after breaking ranks with Vybz Kartel's Gaza Empire, the talented singer Jah Vinci made his solo debut on Reggae Sumfest 2011. Photo by Radcliffe Roye.

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Reggae Sumfest 2011: Tifa
Rising dancehall queen Tifa stood out from the crowd during Dancehall Night 2011 by spitting hard rhymes and adorning her dress with shattered CDs. Photo by Radcliffe Roye.

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Sumfest
Nicki Minaj brought her Barbie badness to Montego Bay for the final
night of Reggae Sumfest 2011.

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Sumfest Octane
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