Ebuzz News
Archived: Machel Fever Sees Massive Crowd Gather in Grenada's Countryside.
The massive crowd that gathered at Grenada’s White in the Moonlight.
It was miles away from Grenada’s city streets but by any means necessary, the island’s party enthusiasts would brave even unexpected downpours to make it to one of the most anticipated events on the Spice Mas calendar- White in the Moonlight. Overnight, ETCETERABUZZ.COM and other media covering the carnival experience on the Spice isle, witnessed first hand, the thorough appreciation felt among Grenadians for not only their own artistes but also Caribbean superstars like Machel Montano. On stage at the event on Sunday morning, a flu struck Montano reminded Grenadians that he had in fact spent a lot of time in the countryside of the island during his youth.
Machel told the crowd he was happy to be able to perform at an event in the countryside of the island.
It was a like a sea of soca thirsty seagulls. Everyone had been clothed in white and in a venue that seemed to endlessly roll on, the crowd was as thick as could be imagined. They had come out to see Trinidad and Tobago’s reigning Road March and Power Soca Monarch king and his HD band. Montano would however only hit the stage after the likes of some of Grenada’s well known artistes- among them Inspector who came in 2nd in this year’s Power Soca Monarch and female entertainer, Valene Nedd whose amazingly strong vocals have cemented her name in our minds at the E-BUZZ camp. Truth be told, Valene whose single, ‘I Am Not A Saint’ has been receiving the welcome embrace on the island, captured our attention on Friday night when she competed in the Groovy Soca Monarch competition. She had shown a level of showmanship that was definitely on par with the likes of Fay-Ann Lyons and Destra Garcia. At around 6am, Montano was introduced and as is customary, the taipan of soca caused an eruption in the crowd that is sometimes inexplainable. He started off with ‘Pump Yuh Flag’ and proceeded into a number of his hits. Grenada however seemed to hold on tightly to the words of Montano’s 2011 single, ‘Bend Over.’ On the fence, women climbed, much like in Trinidad and Tobago, to get the perfect view while closer to the stage, the braver females stood on higher ground to get Montano’s attention. All the while, the man- known for creating a show with every inch of his body- eyes, tongue and even nipples, gesticulated sexually for the females to comprehend where he was coming from with every note sung.
Carib sponsored a water zone at the event.
At one corner of the venue Carib had sponsored a wet zone and Machel called on the operators to spray the water in the direction he wanted them to. He commanded those toward the back of the venue who had been standing on a roof, to wave and they did with no hesitation. Later, Patrice Roberts would also create a stir as she delivered her smash hit singles, among them, ‘A Little Wine’ which was lapped up. Wearing a black and white outfit that provided some eye candy for the guys in the audience, the artiste who spoke with us when we arrived on the island on Friday, worked the stage, showing her growth and ability to command the crowd, much like Montano. Farmer Nappy was next and with his groovy catalogue, he had the party lovers singing along with every melody. Noticeably absent from the dancing crew was Pablo, First Klase and Britney Dookie. Instead, Dancing Jade and another female dancer manned the stage, delivering some moves that were hot indeed.
Farmer Nappy brought some sweet groovy soca to White in the Moonlight.
White in the Moonlight would go on for a few hours after Montano’s performance but many had already begun trickling out of the venue when the band neared its on stage closure. It was testament of Montano’s pull and appeal. Later he told ETCETERABUZZ.COM in an exclusive interview that his band’s ability to pull such massive crowds was why he could charge the fees he could to promoters, as hiring Machel Montano and HD guaranteed that thousands would attend.
Reggae
New ‘Jamrock’ Documentary Celebrates Unforgettable Moments. Cruise Returns to Jamaica After Hurricane Melissa, This Year.
Ahead of its 11th annual voyage in November, Damian “Jr. Gong” Marley’s Welcome to Jamrock Reggae Cruise shares its story through a new film. VIBE premiered All in the Same Boat, a documentary directed by acclaimed filmmaker, Reshma B and produced by Boomshots TV that traces Marley and his manager Dan Dalton’s brainchild from a bold, outsider idea into one of the most culturally significant movements in reggae and dancehall today.
With over a decade’s worth of unforgettable moments pulled from the last 10 voyages, this 30+ minute documentary captures the spirit of a global reggae community built on shared identity, resilience, and reverence for Jamaican culture. It features iconic performances, real conversations with the artistes and DJs, and the heartbeat of it all: the “Jamrockers.” These are die-hard reggae lovers from over 40 countries who pull up every year for one reason – to feel that irreplaceable connection to Jamaican culture and keep the Marley message of “One Love” alive.
Having successfully navigated challenges including extreme weather and a global pandemic, the Welcome to Jamrock Reggae Cruise continues to thrive. Its 11th staging will return for its annual voyage from November 11th to the 16th, sailing from Miami aboard Norwegian Joy.
Stacked from foundation to future, this year’s lineup brings together reggae and dancehall’s most influential voices: Damian “Jr. Gong” Marley and Stephen Marley (Traffic Jam Set), Burning Spear, Sizzla, Capleton, Beenie Man, Protoje, Barrington Levy, Elephant Man, Junior Reid, Lila Iké, Ding Dong & the Ravers Clavers, Tony Matterhorn “Man on the Moon”, Gyptian, 450, Richie Spice, Ghost, Mr. Lexx, Professor Nuts, L.U.S.T., Sister Carol, Sevana, Flourgon, Johnny P, and Jemere Morgan are confirmed.
The cruise’s famed Sound Clash at Sea will return alongside powerhouse sound systems including Stone Love (Geefus), King Jammy, Silverhawk Sound, Rory Stone Love, Renaissance Sound, Federation Sound, Warrior Sound, Rampage Sound, Kingston12 HiFi and Souljah1 Muzik, preserving a cornerstone of Jamaican music culture in its most authentic form.
Jamrock is a Premiere Reggae Event
The Jamrock experience has evolved into the premier reggae event at sea—one that continues to redefine how the culture is celebrated on a global stage. The five-day experience continues to immerse guests in the full spectrum of Jamaican life—from Nyabinghi sunrise sessions and sound bath meditations to dancehall workshops, fitness programming, and curated culinary offerings led by acclaimed Chef Lumley. A new addition this year includes a live theatrical production by legendary playwright Oliver Samuels, adding yet another layer to the cruise’s ever-expanding cultural canvas.
Following the impact of Hurricane Melissa in 2025, the cruise will return to Jamaica with renewed purpose, maintaining its distinction as the only chartered cruise with two Jamaican port stops. That commitment translates into tangible impact, generating millions annually for the island’s tourism and cultural economy while reinforcing a direct connection between the music, the people, and the place that birthed it.
As All in the Same Boat makes clear, Welcome to Jamrock Reggae Cruise is a movement with its own rhythm, one that continues to bring the diaspora home, while inviting the world in. Since its inception in 2014, the mission remains the same: to create a space where reggae lives, breathes, and connects us all.
The documentary made its debut during the 10th annual cruise and later screened at Art Basel in support of hurricane relief efforts led by the Marley family’s Ghetto Youths Foundation. Damian Marley and Dan Dalton were executive producers of the film.
Music News
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