St Kitts Music Festival adds three more top artists
Maxi Priest, Ne-Yo and Grammy Award-winning artist Sean Paul all confirmed to perform at the 11th annual event set for June 21-24, 2007
Basseterre, St Kitts (April 5, 2007) – Three more of today’s hottest artists have been added to the lineup for the St Kitts Music Festival. Sean Paul, Maxi Priest and Ne-Yo have all been confirmed to perform at the 11th annual event taking place June 21-24, 2007.
Called the worldwide ambassador of dancehall reggae, Sean Paul is best-known for his hit tunes from “Gimme The Light,” “Get Busy” and “Like Glue” to “Baby Boy” (with Beyoncé) and “I’m Still In Love With You” (with Sasha). Besides containing five smash singles, “Dutty Rock” went double-platinum in the US and sold nearly six million copies world wide. In the wake of the album’s groundbreaking success, Sean racked up numerous prestigious awards, including the Grammy Award for Best Reggae Album along with nominations in the Best Male Rap Solo Performance and Best New Artist categories. The first reggae artist to appear on the cover of VIBE magazine, dressed in the national colours of his native Jamaica, Sean Paul is set to release his new album “The Trinity.” The first single from the new album, “We Be Burnin’,” is already a chart topper.
Having performed in a previous St Kitts Music Festival, Maxi Priest is no stranger to the island. Since his debut album in 1988, Maxi’s combination of hard-core reggae vibes and pop sensibilities continue to delight listeners. Nine more albums and countless live performances saw him collaborate with Roberta Flack on the hit song “Close To You” and sing duet with Shaggy on the Grammy-nominated smash crossover single “That Girl.”
At the tender age of 22, singer/songwriter Ne-Yo has already penned songs for multi-platinum artists such as Mary J Blige and Faith Evans. Most recently, Ne-Yo is credited as co-writer of Beyoncé’s #1 single, “Irreplaceable,” as well has having also co-written Mario’s hit “Let Me Love You.” Currently writing for Rihanna, Alicia Keys and Golden Globe-winner Oscar nominee Jennifer Hudson, he also just made his big-screen debut in the movie, “Stomp The Yard.” Ne-Yo’s debut album, “Because of You,” is set for release on May 1, 2007.
These three acclaimed artists will join the previously confirmed Grammy Award-winning artist Michael Bolton in performing at the festival. Additional musical acts will be added and announced in the coming weeks.
“This year marks the beginning of the second decade of the St Kitts Music Festival and we want to continue to improve the audience experience,” said Richard “Ricky” O Skerritt, Minister of State in the Ministry of Tourism, Sports and Culture for St Kitts. “I’m very pleased that acclaimed artists such as Maxi Priest, Ne-Yo and Sean Paul will be in St Kitts for our annual warm, festive and family-oriented gathering of music lovers. Such an exciting lineup of artists adds to the attractiveness of our destination where visitors from across North America, Europe and the Caribbean explore the unique charm of St Kitts and our sister island, Nevis.”
Now in its 11th consecutive year, the St Kitts Music Festival attracts both locals and visitors alike. It features various musical styles on the popular market, including R&B, jazz, hip-hop, reggae, soca, calypso, gospel and contemporary music. Past artists have included such top acts as Air Supply, Dionne Warwick, Kenny Rogers, Boyz II Men, Wyclef Jean, Brian McKnight, Ashanti, Shaggy, Eve, Bobby Caldwell, DMX, Hugh Masekala, Xtatik, the Temptations, Chaka Khan, Ronald “Boo” Hinkson and Busta Rhymes.
Located in the northern Leeward Islands of the Caribbean, St Kitts offers a diverse tourism product developed from the destination’s natural beauty, cultural heritage and rich history. The island’s stunning variety of tourism attractions include hiking through the tropical rain forest, riding the scenic railway that connects the island’s sugar plantations, touring Brimstone Hill Fortress, the only man-made UNESCO World Heritage Site in the Eastern Caribbean, and the more traditional vacation pastimes such as watersports, golf, shopping, tennis, gourmet dining, gaming at St Kitts’ exclusive casino or simply relaxing on one of the island’s sandy beaches. Guests can select from accommodations ranging from intimate plantation inns to larger hotels or resorts. For more information about St Kitts, please contact the St Kitts Tourism Authority toll free from the US at 1-800-582-6208 or from Canada 1-888-395-4887.
Visit www.caribbean.com for your free on-line St Kitts travel guide.
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