No Babyface for Reggae Sumfest livestream viewers
July 21, 2024
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Kenneth ‘Babyface’ Edmonds performing at the 2010 Babyface In Concert, held at the National Indoor Sports Centre, Independence Park, on November 13.
As thousands of viewers tuned into the free livestream of Reggae Sumfest Night Two, those waiting for Babyface’s performance were disappointed to learn that his team had not permitted any recordings to be shown.
In a humorous twist, viewers who had stayed up late to watch the performance began calling for a “refund.”
Before Wayne Marshall, one of the hosts, delivered the news, there was speculation that the band change was taking an unusually long time. Some insiders had suggested a Babyface blackout and demanded proof. It was then that Wayne, co-hosting a segment with his wife Tami, revealed the unwelcome news.
Babyface was scheduled to perform after the iconic Beres Hammond, who was warmly received by the crowd.
For the most part, the comments were highly critical of the 65-year-old American singer, songwriter, and record producer, who has won 13 Grammy Awards throughout his storied career and remains quite popular in Jamaica. Among the comments were: “That’s OK guys…it’s fine. We appreciate the live stream regardless,” “I wouldn’t have booked him,” “Good night everyone. No Babyface. Gone a mi bed,” and “Babyface say no freeness.”
Members of the press at the venue had been advised earlier in the day that the press area had to be cleared before Babyface’s entrance on stage, and no pictures or videos would be allowed.
According to his bio on Wikipedia, Kenneth ‘Babyface’ Edmonds, who was born April 10, 1959, has written and produced more than 26 number-one R&B hits and was ranked number 20 on NME’s 50 of The Greatest Producers Ever list. One of his first major credits as a songwriter for outside artistes came when he wrote the tune Slow Jam for the R&B band Midnight Star in 1983. The tune was on Midnight Star’s 1983 double-platinum No Parking on the Dance Floor album.
During the blackout, Sumfest delved into its 31 year-old vault and showcased riveting performances from Jamaican artistes such as Spice, Maxi Priest, Agent Sasco, and Sizzla from previous years.