12 December 2018
Smokey Robinson is Among Initial Artists Announced for the 23rd Annual Event
Basseterre, St. Kitts (December 10, 2018) - Kicking off what is sure to be a star-studded line-up, the St. Kitts Tourism Authority in conjunction with the Ministry of Tourism, announced that Smokey Robinson will be performing at the 23rd Annual St. Kitts Music Festival, which will take place on June 26-30, 2019. Also joining the line-up are popular artists French Montana, Popcaan, and Davido.
"It is gratifying to see these top musical artists join the roster for the 2019 St. Kitts Music Festival," said Minister of Tourism, International Trade, Industry and Commerce the Hon. Mr. Lindsay F.P. Grant. "Each year, this event features top international acts along with a mix of local and regional talent showcasing a broad range of musical genres. It is one of the reasons that our Music Festival is a unique event and appeals to such a wide audience."
Racquel Brown, CEO of the St. Kitts Tourism Authority, added, "System-wide air arrivals were up 28.1% in June 2018 as compared to June 2017, the biggest June increase we have seen in recent years, demonstrating the success of our marketing of the event in driving travel to St. Kitts for the festival in what is otherwise a slow period."
Famous for co-founding Motown Records with Berry Gordy, Smokey Robinson has been making and breaking records since 1960 when his group, The Miracles, sold one million units of their first hit, "Shop Around." Over the next decade, Robinson and the Miracles produced 26 top 40 hits, including several top 10 hits like "You've Really Got a Hold on Me," "I Second That Emotion," "The Tears Of a Clown," "My Girl" and others. Celebrated for his contributions to the music industry and the Motown era, Robinson is an inductee of the Kennedy Center Honors and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. He has received numerous accolades, including the GRAMMY Living Legend Award, BET Lifetime Achievement Award, the Heritage Award at the Soul Train Music Awards, and the National Medal of Arts. Howard University also conferred on Robinson the degree of Doctor of Music in 2006, as did the Berklee College of Music in 2009. During the course of his 50-year career in music, Robinson has accumulated more than 4,000 songs to his credit and continues to thrill sold-out audiences around the world with his high tenor voice, impeccable timing, and profound sense of lyric.
French Montana is a Moroccan-American rapper, singer and songwriter. Born and raised in Morocco, he immigrated to the United States with his family when he was 13He is the founder of Coke Boys Records and has a joint-venture recording deal with Bad Boy Records and Maybach Music Group. His mixtape debut was released in 2007. In 2010, his breakthrough hit "Choppa Choppa Down," rose through the charts. He released his debut studio album "Excuse My French" in 2013 and his second studio album, "Jungle Rules," in July 2017, which peaked at number three on the Billboard 200. The album was supported by the single "Unforgettable," featuring Swae Lee, which became Montana's first song as lead artist to reach the top 10 in the U.S.
Andrae Hugh Sutherland, known by his stage name Popcaan, is a Jamaican dancehall artiste, dj, singer and songwriter from the parish of St. Thomas. In 2008, he joined Vybz Kartel's Gaza music empire and in 2010, he released his breakthrough international hit "Clarks" with Kartel, an ode to the popular shoe brand. In 2014, he signed with Mixpak Records and released his debut studio album, "Where We Come From." Popcaan's top singles include "Only Man She Want" (2011), "Everything Nice" (2014), "El Chapo" (2017), and "Family" (2017). He has collaborated with a number of international artists, most notably Drake, Jay Z, Pusha T, Snoop Dog and Giggs. His second album for Mixpak, entitled "Forever," was released in July 2018.
Born in Atlanta, Georgia, Davido is an American-Nigerian singer, songwriter and record producer. His 2011 single "Dami Duro" was well-received in Nigeria and was featured on his 2012 debut album, "Omo Baba Olowo." Between 2013 and 2015, he released singles, "Gobe", "One of a Kind", "Naughty" featuring DJ Arafat and "The Money" featuring Olamide. In November 2017, Davido won the best African act at the MOBO Awards and also became the first African act to perform live at the awards. His most recent hits include "If" and "Wonder Woman."
Now entering its 23rd year, the St. Kitts Music Festival attracts both locals and visitors alike. It features a wide range of musical styles on the popular market, including R&B, Jazz, Hip-Hop, Reggae, Soca, Calypso, Gospel and Contemporary music. Past artists have included such prominent acts as John Legend, The Goo Goo Dolls, Lionel Richie, Jason Derulo, Trey Songz, Patti LaBelle, Michael Bolton, R. City, K.C. and the Sunshine Band, Wyclef Jean, Ne-Yo, Air Supply, Kenny "Babyface" Edmonds, Shaggy, Kelly Rowland, Tarrus Riley, Jah Cure, Tessanne Chin, Toni Braxton, Sean Paul, Boyz II Men, King Konris, Stephen Marley, Maxi Priest, Beres Hammond, and Biggie Irie. For more information about the St. Kitts Music Festival, visit www.stkittsmusicfestival.com.
