Burna Boy Live in Jamaica Recap

Wow, that was some event. As we look into spring boarding from the positives that a show of this magnitude has left upon the Jamaican entertainment ecosystem, it is also important to acknowledge the reasons why it was so important for viability of the Jamaican music industry. Firstly, an act of Burna Boy’s current status hardly ever graces our shores to perform a full set, most of which we explored in this preview of the event.

But it is also important to note, especially after the three-year hiatus of the open air live concerts on the island, how much these shows can do for the economy formally and informally. Live musical performances provide avenues where people, and in some cases whole communities, could generate income on the day of the event. International music festivals featuring reggae music and dancehall, attracts thousands of visitors from all over the world and people from all over Jamaica, from the Jamaican migrant communities. There is of course a plethora of income earning activities ancillary to the main musical event, whether it is the concert, the carnival, or the dance. 

Slide Images shot by HIND$

Apart from the services required to set up the shows – promotional posters and radio ads, musicians, lights, sound, security, various specialized labour services, and so on – there are a variety of vendors of cooked food, fruits, refreshments, alcoholic beverages, cigarettes, souvenirs and other music related paraphernalia. Also of note is the expenditure on clothing and other articles of fashion that the dance and party goers favour. Any how we have some stellar photography and a video mashup of the night’s activities as we hope that Burna Boy’s success leads to quite a few more superstars adding Jamaica, and the Caribbean, as a part of their world tour stops.

Gallery images shot by Jik Reuben

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