One of the biggest dancehall acts in Jamaica today, 'The Doctor', Beenie Man will take the stage for the 16th staging of the Caribbean's largest one-night roots reggae festival, Rebel Salute, set for Saturday, January 17, at the Port Kaiser Sports Club in St Elizabeth.

Beenie Man will appear as 'Ras Moses' and is expected to illustrate his mastery at all types of Jamaican music as well as give emphasis to his strong Rastafarian consciousness with powerful hits such as Product of the Ghetto, Progress, Come Clear yuh Heart and Mama Cry.

Although the affable and charming deejay Beenie Man has graced the Rebel Salute stage several times, having made impromptu appearances over the years, this is the first time he is officially billed as a performer on Rebel Salute.

It's not very often that a hardcore dancehall artiste finds his way on to Rebel Salute, a massive roots affair which celebrates Rastafarian lifestyle, culture, cuisine, spirituality and the best of Jamaican roots reggae.

But Beenie Man is no purist dancehall act.

Quality of show

Asked why after 15 years he has billed Beenie Man for Rebel Salute 16, promoter of Rebel Salute, entertainer Tony Rebel had this to say: "Beenie Man always wanted to perform on Rebel Salute. He is often in attendance at Rebel Salute and sometimes touch the stage. So him tell me to put him on Rebel Salute. But Beenie Man loves music, all types of music. He sees and respects the quality of show and as a good entertainer he wants to be a part of that. I saw him perform on Western Consciousness and other shows, so I know that he has a body of work well suited for the Rebel Salute stage."

Several hardcore dancehall artistes who have performed on Rebel Salute in previous years include Assassin, Busy Signal, Demarco, Wayne Marshall, Flourgon, Michigan and Smiley and Charlie Chaplin.

According to Tony Rebel, "Rebel Salute is about love and unity, not confrontation and war. Although the genres are separated, it's Jamaican music, and it's a part of us. We have to find ways to incorporate dancehall and dancehall artistes when we celebrate positive Jamaican music. But because of the royal nature of Rebel Salute, we have to make sure that the artistes we select for the show live up to the standards of Rebel Salute."

Other dancehall acts set to perform on Rebel Salute 2009 include Lady G, Courtney Melody, Sanchez and roots-dancehall artistes Capleton, Queen Ifrica, I-Octane and Chuck Fendah.