Rebel Salute 2008 was launched at the Hilton Kingston Hotel last night, and by all indications, the Port Kaiser Sports Club in St. Elizabeth will be host to another dynamic mixture of Reggae music, past, present and future.
The event is the flagship event of Reggae icon, Tony Rebel, and it is his company, Flames Production in association with Trade Winds Citrus who staged the event.
The show is being touted as the "The night of Rebel Salute generations." Promoters have promised that three Jamaican musical dynasties, currently in the making, will take to the stage.
Look out for Jimmy Riley and his son Tarrus, Junior Reid and his two sons, Wada and Andrew *lo**, and Tony Rebel and Junior Rebel. Though Reggae music is Jamaican in origin, it is also global, hence, visitors from around the world who make the pilgrimage to Port Kaiser, will witness Bermudan dancehall act Collie Buddz, armed with the hits, "Come Around" and "Mamacita." Other first timers to Rebel Salute will include Ini Kamoze, the group Chalice, Ernie Smith, Pluto Shervington, Busy Signal, Errol Dunkley and I-Octane.
Staples of the event such as Luciano, Queen Ifrica and Capleton are certain to "scorch" lyrically.
Rebel salute was launched in 1994, just one day before Tony Barrett's (Tony Rebel) birthday, at the Fayer's Entertainment Centre in Mandeville. The 1994 staging was attended by former World Heavy Weight Boxing Champion, Lennox Lewis, and actor Malik Yoba.
Contrary to contemporary culture, Rebel Salute maintains a "no alcohol policy"; yet, Port Kaiser is always flocked by people amounting to as much as 30,000. This 2008 staging is expected to be supported mightily as well.