Quiet birthday for Tony Rebel as Rebel Salute goes overseas for 2026

Without Rebel Salute to mark his birthday on Thursday, January 15, reggae singer and Rebel Salute founder Tony Rebel said that this year it will be a quiet celebration.

"Last year, there was an outside broadcast, and drummers came to play for me, but this year is going to be much quieter, and I am fine with that. I'm just going to eat some food and be with family," he told THE STAR.

Working on his birthday, he said, will take on a different look as he may spend it tilling the soil, as he likes to be busy on his farm. "I have a little over half an acre in Chancery Hall that I've been farming for a long time. It's half an acre down a bottom and half an acre up a top that I like working on because it's also good exercise. Melissa lick down my banana and plantain trees, and all of my avocados drop off, but me regroup, and a do me ting. The other day, me dig up some yam, and me feel good because a me plant it and watch it grow," he said.

Rebel, who turns 64 this year, said that farming allows him to control his diet, as he hopes to live long and live well. "Me waa fi see another 60 years, but me nuh know if that possible. Mek we see nuh. My father a go 84 this year, my granny lived to 93, and I have an aunt who touch 100. I just know that you have to have a good relationship with life. I can say that in 2025, we barely survive, but in 2026 everything ago fix!"

For 2026, Rebel Salute, which last year was scaled back to one night, will not be held in the west due to Hurricane Melissa's impact on its logistical and operational capabilities.

While this has left many fans disappointed, Rebel assures them that this is just a glitch and that in 2027, it will return even bigger and better.

The Fresh Vegetable artiste told THE STAR that he plans to continue "big up Jamaica", though this year the big local stage show is set for overseas. Having the show in the States was the logical thing to do, as regardless of the location, there is much demand for its cultural offering. "Me a try keep Rebel Salute a foreign come April 18 at Miramar Regional Park in Florida. Yes man, plenty of people looking forward to it. In terms of other upcoming shows in 2026, me a wait to hear them call me for Reggae on the River in California as well as some possible bookings in Kenya," he said.