New York: Reggae singer Calvin Barrett, aka Coco Tea, who endorsed USA, Illinois Senator and Democratic Presidential candidate, Barack Obama with a powerful song titled, Barack Obama, is the first artiste confirmed for North America's premier reggae festival Irie Jamboree, which takes place on Labor Day Sunday, August 31, 2008 inside Roy Wilkins Park in Queens, NY.
Coco Tea is now enjoying a major resurgence in his career on the international scene with the song that has garnered air play on radio stations around the globe and was featured on CNN, The New York Times, Washington Post and The Associated Press. The is not Coco Tea's first crack at an international issue, as his strident anti-Gulf War commentaries "Oil Ting" and "No Blood for Oil" were banned on radio in Jamaica and the U.K. The talented singer who was born in May Pen, Clarendon, has recorded a series of hit singles including "Rocking Dolly," "Riker's Island," "I Lost My Sonia," "Informer," "Can't Stop Cocoa Tea and "Good Life."
Award winning reggae singer Tarrus Riley, who walked away with awards for 'Singer of the Year' and 'Song of The Year' at the IRAWMA in New York, the Excellence in Music & Entertainment and The Irie FM Awards in Jamaica is also confirmed for Irie Jamboree. The singer recently signed a lucrative endorsement deal which makes him the face of Ocean Spray Cranberry Juice in Jamaica. He will be making his first appears at a major outdoor park event in New York area and fans are excited.
"He is extremely popular in this market right now so selecting him was a no brainer" Steven 'Yello' Williams, one of the principal of Irie Jamboree disclosed.
"We are extremely proud to have him as one of our headline performers and fans are just as eager to see him perform here in the Big Apple" Williams noted.
Tarrus is a singer of superb talent who has taken the reggae world by storm. His music is about love, it is spiritual and it is danceable. On stage he is electrifying and extremely entertaining. His new album Parable, is a potpourri of musical progressions, melodies and soulful ballads. Stands out tracks include his cover version of John Legend's, "Stay With You," the monster hit "She's Royal" and "Lion Paw."
When asked who are some of the other acts that could grace the stage at Irie Jamboree 2k8, Williams disclosed that the production team was in discussions with a number of top acts including Sizzla and a popular R&B group that could be announced soon.
Last year's Jamboree attracted well over 30,000 music lovers who enjoyed performances from Stephen Marley, Beenie Man, Luciano, Morgan Heritage, Jr. Gong, Lady Saw, Mr Vegas, Anthony B, Tony Matterhorn, Munga, Macka Diamond, Etana, Da'Ville and others. With a track record of successful events, the promoters are leaving no stones unturned in their quest to make this year's event bigger and better than ever.
