Spin D Music - Entertainment News

Red Stripe pulls out of Reggae Sumfest

Kingston, Jamaica: Apr 4th, 2008
Source: jamaicaobserver.com

Liquor giant, Red Stripe, has relinquished its title sponsorship of Reggae Sumfest.

Although the company is yet to send out an official statement on the matter, a company executive confirmed to Splash that Red Stripe "will not be the title sponsor for Sumfest this year".

"We will, however, be sending out an official statement soon," the Red Stripe official stated.

In the run-up to the annual week-long festival, concerns have been expressed that Red Stripe was on the verge of pulling out of the calendar event, owing to what has been described as the "state of the music" as it relates to an over-abundance of violent lyrics by some dancehall artistes and the militant stance taken by these artistes against homosexuals.

The company executive, however, refused to comment on whether or not this had in any way impacted on Red Stripe's ultimate decision.

It is still unclear whether or not the beer company will be involved at any level with the staging of the premium reggae/dancehall festival, which is celebrating 16 years this year.

Other reports surfacing are that Red Stripe was the official sponsor of the bar at the Africa Unite concert held at the James Bond Beach in February, but the brand had refused any kind of acknowledgement for their sponsorship.

Branded as 'the coolest beer company', Red Stripe has been the the title sponsor of Reggae Sumfest since 2005, branding the event 'Red Stripe Reggae Sumfest'. This partnership has been described as a "marriage made at the bar counter".

Meanwhile, executive director of Summerfest Productions, Johnny Gourzong, up to press time, could not be reached for a comment.

Over the years, many of reggae/dancehall, r&b and rap's top artistes have appeared on the Sumfest stage. These include Beres Hammond, Shaggy, Morgan Heritage, 50 Cent, LL Cool J, Mary J Blige, Beenie Man, Collie Budz, Alliosn Hinds and Etana.