Reggae hits the track with athletes

Jamaica's most celebrated dancehall artiste, Rexton Rawlston Gordon, popularly known as 'Shabba Ranks', is set to perform at the 'Adidas Jamboree' concert, Randall's Island, New York, on Saturday, June 9.

The concert - which will serve as a 50th anniversary celebration for both Jamaica and Trinidad - will take place at the conclusion of the annual Adidas Grand Prix where Caribbean track stars - world champion Yohan Blake, Veronica Campbell-Brown, Jermaine Gonzalez,Novlene Williams-Mills, Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, Sherone Simpson,Kenia Sinclair,Kelly-Ann Baptiste andother world elite athletes - will compete. "Shabba is an icon who has a history of delivering outstanding performances," saidLouie Grant, vice-president, Irie Jam Radio.

"This is Shabba'sfirst outdoor performance in New York in two years and fans can't wait tosee the Grammy winner on the adidas stage, representing Jamaica while ushering our Caribbean athletes off to the 2012 London Olympics this summer." Also slated to perform isyet another Grammy winner, New York-based reggae star Shaggy, Jamaica's musical ambassador Richie Stephens and soca darling Fayann Lyons. "Working with our Caribbean media partnerIrieJam radio over the past 6 years, we have come to recognise the synergy created by two indigenous Jamaican products - sports and reggae music," said Rich Kenah ofadidas Grand Prix and Global Athletics & Marketing.

"To honour the outstanding performances of Jamaican athletes at the adidas Grand Prix since its inception, we will team with Irie Jam radio and LBLto stage the inaugural adidas Jamboree concert. The event will also honour two neighbouring island nations, Jamaica and Trinidad, ironically competingat the 2012 summer Olympic in England, the country from which they both gained their independence."

With a string of billboard number one hit songs,including It Wasn't Meand aplatinum-selling album,Mr Boombastic, Shaggy still has what it takes to enthral fans. He is expected to turn up the heat with another energetic set at Randall's Island when he unleashes hits like Badman No Cry, Hot Gal, Bombastic and Oh Carolina.

Award-winningreggae ambassadorRichieStephenshas coppedawards for Song of the Year for Live Your Lifefrom Irie Jam Radio, NY; anAchievement Award at the 16th annual JamaicaJazz&BluesFestival in Trelawny, Jamaica; a Lifetime Achievement Award and Song of the Year at theLinkageAwardsin New York since the start of 2012. Hislast performance on Randall's Island took place on Saturday, May 31, 2008, moments after Usain 'Lighting' Bolt had decimated the 100 metres world record for the first time.

FayAnn Lyons, a three-timeTrinidad & Tobago Carnival Road March champion (2003, 2008, 2009) and the 2009 International Soca Monarch has a huge fan base in the tri-state area. Her big hits include Focus, Heavy T Bumpa,Bring It (with Mr Vegas - ICC World Cup Cricket Theme Song) andGet On.

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