Following the historic Freedom Street production, Downsound Entertainment’s Karla Jankee opens up about Global Fête and Vybz Kartel’s highly anticipated return to Sumfest 2025: “We’re going full throttle,” she said, while promising even more surprises—“The best moments are the ones we don’t tell you about.”
Reggae Sumfest has cemented its reputation over the years as the Caribbean’s premier music festival, known for its massive crowds, star-studded lineups, and unforgettable moments.
Now gearing up for its 32th edition from July 13–19 at Catherine Hall in Montego Bay, this year’s celebration promises to raise the bar even higher.
With main stage performances from dancehall powerhouses like Vybz Kartel, making his first Sumfest appearance in over 14 years alongside Masicka, Tarrus Riley, and more, the six-day festival promises nonstop excitement. From the lively Street Dance and the iconic All-White Party to the high-energy Blitz event featuring a live performance by Stalk Ashley and a special guest appearance by Valiant—Sumfest is set to keep the vibes high all week long.
“Reggae Sumfest has always been about showcasing the best of us to the world—and this year, we’re doing it bigger, better, and more immersive than ever before.”
“This year, Reggae Sumfest reaffirms its status as the Caribbean’s premier music festival—and it’s more than just two show nights. It’s a full cultural takeover of Montego Bay,” shared Karla Jankee, Executive of Marketing, Events, and Hospitality at Downsound Entertainment.
Global Fete, slated for Thursday, July 17, will bring international flair with live performances by Ghanaian rising sensation Moliy, who is ready to “Shake It To The Max,” alongside international soca artiste Yung Bredda and fearless dancehall firebrand Marcy Chin of the Downsound camp. The night will also feature top-tier sets from selectors CopperShot, Richie Ras, Fyah Man, and DJ Gabby.
The annual sound system clash will see veteran selector Tony Matterhorn face off against Likkle Shabba and Bad Gyal Marie of Notorious Sound, the reigning champions of last year’s epic Reggae Sumfest Sound Clash.
“What’s brand new this year is Global Fête—the first of its kind in the storied history of the festival. Picture one unforgettable event where reggae, dancehall, afrobeats, and soca come together in a melting pot of music, culture, and good vibes,” she added.
Speaking on the team’s out-of-the-box approach to captivate revelers, Karla explained: “Innovation is part of our DNA at Downsound Entertainment. Every year we challenge ourselves to elevate the standard—not just in production, but in how we tell our stories, market our talent, and enhance the fan experience. From better stage design to curated content and global streaming, raising the bar isn’t just a goal—it’s our duty to the culture. The fans expect more every year, and we intend to deliver every time.”
While the early nights set the stage for the highly anticipated main events, Jankee noted that this year feels especially different. “We’ve expanded our activations, added deeper community outreach, and curated experiences that celebrate not just Jamaican culture, but the vibrant Caribbean and global sounds that surround us. Reggae Sumfest has always been about showcasing the best of us to the world—and this year, we’re doing it bigger, better, and more immersive than ever before.”
“Innovation is part of our DNA at Downsound Entertainment. Every year we challenge ourselves to elevate the standard—not just in production, but in how we tell our stories, market our talent, and enhance the fan experience”
She also teased surprises from the festival’s visionary producer: “Joe Bogdanovich definitely has a few cards up his sleeves. Sometimes we don’t even know what he’s cooking.”
Surprises, she added, are part of Downsound Entertainment’s DNA. “We never give away everything up front because we believe in the magic of the unexpected—that moment when the crowd goes wild as an unannounced artist hits the stage, or when something unforgettable happens that no one saw coming.”
Without a doubt, the main highlight of this year’s festival is the return of dancehall kingpin Vybz Kartel to the Sumfest stage after 14 years. It marks his first appearance at the event since his historic performance at Freedom Street in Jamaica, led by the Downsound Entertainment team, including Joe Bogdanovich and Skatta Burrell.
The team continues to accompany Kartel on his world tour, which has delivered unforgettable, sold-out shows at the Barclays Center, with upcoming stops in Florida, Atlanta, and a highly anticipated Freedom Street performance in Europe this September. These appearances are all part of the Reggae Fest Tour, in collaboration with elite event promoter CJ Milan.
Reflecting on the significance of Vybz Kartel’s return, Karla Jankee shared the impact of the historic Freedom Street concert: “It’s been nothing short of electric. Freedom Street wasn’t just a show—it was a moment in music and a moment for our culture, a historic moment. A once-in-a-lifetime experience,” she expressed. “To witness that level of global anticipation, emotion, and unity around Vybz Kartel’s return was powerful.”
She continued, “As a marketing team, we knew it would be big, but the energy, the cultural impact, the sheer scale of engagement blew past even our highest expectations. It reminded us that what we do matters. We’re not just promoting events—we’re helping to shape moments that move the culture and, in this case, will be a part of history.”
And now, the entire team is riding that momentum and aiming even higher, with Jankee herself a witness to the historic nights at Barclays Center. “With that momentum behind us, and Kartel still making history around the globe with his sold-out shows and music releases, we’re going full throttle into the Caribbean’s premier music festival—Reggae Sumfest,” Karla added.
With a big year still ahead, and Downsound Entertainment involved in major events both locally and globally—Reggae Sumfest being a cornerstone—Jankee emphasized: “The best moments are the ones we don’t tell you about—you just have to be there to see it and experience it.”
