By Spokesman Newsroom
BASSETERRE, St. Kitts (Monday 1st July 2024)-The 26th edition of the three-night St. Kitts Music Festival (27th to 29th June) concluded with an electrifying performance by international hip-hop superstar Rick Ross at the Warner Park Cricket Stadium in Basseterre.
The Maybach Music label American rapper captivated the audience with an energetic flow, performing hits like ‘Diced Pineapples’, ‘Hustlin’ and ‘BMF’, backed by his DJ in delivering an over 30-minute show that left scores fans and music lovers in awe during the wee hours of Sunday 30th June 2024. The closing night of the festival also featured stellar performances from well-known U.S R&B entertainer Mary J.
Blige, popular Jamaican dancehall sensation 450, legendary U.S R&B artist Freddie Jackson, Remone Watson-the 2023 Jamaica Digicel Rising Star champion, the groovy jazz Nicholas Brancker Band from Barbados, Jamaican reggae star Tony Rebel, and Briannagh D 22-year-old songstress with St. Kitts-Nevis roots (based in the U.S), ensuring a memorable end to a spectacular event.
Prime Minister Dr. Terrance Drew, when quizzed about this year’s music festival at the Round Table held on Tuesday, 2nd July 2024, praised the event’s success. “The music festival was started in the 90s. It’s a very longstanding music festival that keeps getting better.
The last iteration of the music festival was very, very successful. All three nights were attended. They had great attendance. The people came out in their numbers,” he said. Dr. Drew highlighted the festival’s popularity, noting, “As one person told me, you look like you have more people in the VIP than you have in the regular, and I know that, you know, in the VIP you have to pay a substantial amount to be there.
But I think everybody had an opportunity to be at the St. Kitts Music Festival.” Reflecting on his participation, Dr. Drew shared, “I myself participated all nights of the music festival. I came back from Taiwan the Thursday and I was able to participate the very Thursday night, and I did have an excellent time during the Music Festival.
So I want to take this opportunity to congratulate the Minister and her team for an excellent presentation of the music festival this year.” He also acknowledged the success of related events, stating, “I also want to add that White Sands at Carambola was very successful as well. I went there as well.
That is when I left prematurely to speak to the other prime ministers who were going to be affected by [Hurricane] Beryl. And it was just full; I mean, it was amazing to see how many persons were there. So I think overall the weekend went without incidents.
It was well enjoyed by our people here in St. Kitts and Nevis.” Dr. Drew commended the festival’s impact on the international stage and local safety, saying, “And I want to once again congratulate the minister on a wonderful, wonderful music festival.
And to thank the people of St. Kitts and Nevis for making sure that it was a safe music festival. As a matter of fact, I think St. Kitts and Nevis’ name is now further along in the international community as a place where you can go to have fun and a place where you can venture deeper.
So I think at the end of the day, it was a very, very successful.” He also mentioned the positive impact on local hotels, noting, “Let me say also, to the extent, even the hotels, I spoke to a sample of the hoteliers. I think Park Hyatt, Marriott, Koi, and they all told me that their numbers went up as a result.
But generally, their numbers have been higher this year. And that has to do with the increased number of flights that we have had regionally and internationally. So we have seen a significant increase in our tourism sector.” Front Page Image: International hip-hop superstar Rick Ross (at front) performs with his DJ during the wee hours of Sunday 30th June bringing the curtains down on the 26th edition of the St.
Kitts Music Festival held at the Warner Park Cricket Stadium (screenshot via Facebook/ AlphaAerials)
