Reggae and R&B Festival
Groovin In The Park, North America’s biggest one-day Reggae and R&B Festival is back in Queens New York City. The festival will take place on Sunday, June 25, 2023, in Roy Wilkins Park. The show starts at 12 noon. For more ticket info click: HERE
10th Anniversary of Groovin in the Park
This year marks the 10th Anniversary of Groovin in the Park and it’s going to be very special according to the CEO Christopher Roberts. The event was postponed for the past three years due to the COVID-19 Pandemic. Now we are back according to Mr. Roberts, and we must say thanks to our loyal fans for being so patient. For the past nine years, Groovin in the Park has developed a reputation of being the Premier Reggae and R&B Festival in North America. As a result, the concert has attracted a global audience every year.
This is due in part to the A-List Reggae and R&B Artists the Groovin Team has been bringing to the stage. Patrons know they will be getting quality entertainment. With the 10th Anniversary staging, the concert supporter’s expectation is high, and they can’t wait to find out what will be in store. Well, the anticipation is over. The executive team of Groovin INC has outdone itself once again.
R&B Artist
This year’s concert features Charlie Wilson AKA Uncle Charlie who was nominated for 13 Grammy Awards and recipient of 11 NAACP Image Awards and a host of others. For the very first time, Uncle Charlie will grace the Groovin stage. He will be singing his countless R&B hits. Folks will remember him as the lead singer of the GAP Band.
Dancehall Artist
To represent the 10th Anniversary Staging of Groovin in the Park, the Groovin Team was brilliant. They selected a period when Reggae / Dancehall Music got international fame; The Timeless 90’s. While no one will fully agree on what period was the Golden Age of Reggae, most people will agree that The Timeless 90’s played a big role. Dancehall Music became the dominant style in Reggae music.
When it comes to Dancehall music, who better represents the Tileless 90’s music than the “Queen of Dancehall”? Min. Marion Hall aka Lady Saw was a force in the Dancehall. Lady Saw is ranked amongst the most talented artist to come out of Jamaica. She’s a triple-platinum and Grammy Award winner, a fabulous entertainer and I am sure fans can’t wait to see her on the Groovin stage.
Returning to the Groovin stage is Tarrus Riley AKA Singy Singy. Tarrus continues to show why he was named Best Singer and Cultural Artist. His chart-topping hit, “She’s Royal” remains one of the best songs in Reggae Music. Reggae music enthusiasts will be signing along when Singy Singy get’s on Stage.
Also on the Groovin Stage representing The Timeless 90s is Wayne Wonder, Baby Cham, and Frisco Kid. Whether they will be riding a Diwali Riddim which the “New York Times described as one of the most popular rhythms of all Time” or a Joyride /Bashment Riddim, the singers/dancehall artists says, “…we are ready”.
The next move which we thought was genius was bringing the Sound System to the Groovin Stage, WOW. Sound Systems has been deeply rooted in the Jamaican Music Culture since the 50s. Back then, many sounds were competing against rival sounds on the Lawn. Not only have Sound Systems remained relevant in the Jamaican culture, it has taken on a new life around the world. Come Sunday, June 25, 2023, there will be four sound systems from four different continents “INNA the Lawn” at Roy Wilkins Park. Hats off to the Groovin Team, this is brilliant.
In talking to Award-winning Radio Host Clement “Ras Clem” Hume, from Groovin Radio 93.5FM and part of the Executive Team of Groovin In The Park. “…This is our 10th Anniversary and we wanted to do something memorable.” Ras Clem went on to say, “…Not only is the Sound System embedded in our Reggae culture, but the CEO Christopher Roberts of Groovin INC has always been a huge fan of Sound Systems. So, it was quite fitting to have the Sound Systems as part of the 10th Anniversary of Groovin in the Park”.
One can say the sound system is the heartbeat of Jamaica and Jamaican music. While Sound System is known to play lots of Dub-Plate, Ras Clem was quick to say, “These Sound Systems just don’t play dubplates, but they are entertainers”.
It’s not surprising that the Groovin Team has put together a lineup that people will be talking about for years. Coming up with the idea of a Four Continents Sound System clash was brilliant. Not only will you hear versatility and appreciation for reggae music, but the level of respect Reggae received worldwide. The late great toaster himself, Ewart Beckford AKA U-Roy, and his Sound System “Stur Gav”, would’ve loved this move. U-Roy blessed the Groovin stage in 2019.
Sound Systems
For the very first time, the festival will feature Four Sound Systems from four different Continents. Talking about DYMANQ Sound from Africa (South Sudan), Talking about Yard Beat Sound from Asia (Japan), Talking about Bass Odyssey Sound from North America (Jamaica), and David Rodigan from Europe (London). As they say in Jamaica, “Four Sound System “INNA the Lawn”.
When Sound System plays on the same stage, there’s always going to be a prediction on who is the better sound/selector for that day. According to Entertainment Publicist Anthony Turner, he’s going with “…Old River Nile Crocodile DYMANQ Sound”. Here at A Jamaica Experience, we all have different opinions on who will be the best Sound System for that day. We did agree that if these Sound Systems made it to the Groovin stage, they are ranked among the best of the best.