Foota Hype, Downsound put differences aside - Selector booked for Reggae Sumfest

With Foota Hype being booked for Reggae Sumfest, it would seem as if the selector and Downsound Entertainment have put their differences aside.

Foota Hype, who wrapped up an appearance at the recent staging of Rebel Salute, said that although he and key members of the Reggae Sumfest team had not been on speaking terms, he was happy that they could put their grievances aside for the music's sake.

"I think my Rebel Salute performance prompted Joe (Bogdanovich) to want to book Foota Hype for Sumfest. He was there. I saw him before I went on stage. We never spoke to each other because as you know, we're not on talking terms. But I think the music did a greater job than personal egos and personal feelings and vengeance against each other. The music override all a that," he said.

"People from their offices reached out to me and asked if I would be interested in doing Sumfest. They actually wanted me for the street dance and the main stage on the 19th, but I was already booked for the 19th, which is very sad because Sumfest is a good stage for my brand, and me have sup'm fi deliver weh da audience deh woulda need."

Joe Bogdanovich, CEO of Downsound Entertainment and Reggae Sumfest organiser, explained that as someone who is invested in the development of the music, he believes in putting personal feelings aside for the sake of the industry.

"Foota is hype, you know. He's an unusually exceptional person who is very talented, and the reason why he's on this show is because his work speaks for itself. Music is above personal feelings for me," he said.

Bogdanovich also revealed that Skatta Burrell, a member of his team with whom Foota has had unpleasant exchanges in the past, encouraged the booking.

Foota Hype is set to perform at the street dance on July 15 at the Old Hospital Park in Montego Bay, and he is looking forward to the event.

"I am always excited about every booking and every performance and every food weh God put pon my table, so it's not just Sumfest. Sumfest booking, though, is a different victory based pan the bad terms weh me and Downsound did have and me staying away and surviving and doing weh me do best until dem haffi request fi book Foota Hype. Dat is a big victory for me," he said.