Queen Ifrica excited as Reggae Jam comes to its roots

Reggae songstress Queen Ifrica has hailed the decision of Reggae Jam organisers to stage the international music festival in Jamaica this year.

The festival, which originated in Germany, is in its 30th year. The Bernd 'Sheriff' Lagemann-organised event, set to make its way "back to the roots of reggae music", will be staged in Jamaica on June 14 and 15 at Reggae Park 420 Escape in Wakefield, Trelawny. It is the first time that the event is being held in Jamaica.

"What I like the most, and the reason I associated with 'Sheriff' and the idea of Reggae Jam in Jamaica, is that he told me that that was his idea of giving back to where all a dis came from," Queen Ifrica told THE STAR.

She continued: "To come back to the foundation and to Trelawny, another beginning of our history, he's on point and I have to give him credit to bring it back to di core, the Mecca and headquarters, to show gratitude where this wonderful genre was born."

The first night of the event will see a plethora of musical acts, such as Tanya Stephens, Busy Signal, Queen Ifrica, Beenie Man, I-Octane and many more talented musicians. A host of legendary musical maestros, such as Burning Spear, Etana, Gramps Morgan and Leroy Sibbles are set to take the stage on the final night of the festivities; which will also culminate with a special tribute to reggae icon Burning Spear.

Queen Ifrica, the Times Like These hitmaker, is toying with the idea of delivering a set that has never been experienced in Jamaica before.

"I have a whole set a songs that I do in Europe that I don't ever do in Jamaica. So I might just do so me a dem, just to show why we are in demand over that side, and mix it with some a what we do locally here," shared Queen Ifrica.

In the meantime, the reggae warrior said Burning Spear is "very deserving" of the tribute that has been planned for him. The Old Marcus Garvey singer will be making his first local performance in 18 years.

"Burning Spear a mi icon, and him fi get award and him fi get big up. One of the [issue] weh mi have is that him nuh get di respect weh him supposed to get inna Jamaica as Burning Spear weh di whole worl' still a come a him foot when him pull up. But him fi get him 'flowers', man, nuh matter wah," a bubbly Queen Ifrica said.