In Jamaica, Reggae Sumfest is set for July 12-18, 2015, with stage shows from Thursday to Saturday at Catherine Hall, Montego Bay. The festival begins with the Beachfest beach party at Aquasol Beach, the All-White Affair on Tuesday at Pier 1, and stage shows from Thursday to Saturday at Catherine Hall: Dancehall Explosion takes place on Thursday and Showtime on Friday. Performers include Beenie Man, Cocoa Tea, Jesse Royal, Capleton, Konshens, Dexta Daps, I Octane, Gully Bop, Popcaan, Jennifer Hudson, Spice, Demarco, and many more.

Of course, few festivals occur without a bit of scandal. Mark Cummings (Jamaica Observer) writes that organizers of Reggae Sumfest have renewed their efforts to get American R&B singer Chris Brown to perform at this year’s staging of the festival, as a replacement for hip hop artiste, Rick Ross, who is currently facing kidnapping and assault charges in the United States and subsequently was dropped…