Performance By Natures Child, Bimini Roads, Session Rockers, Mighty Joshua, Manna of Zion featuring Ton A Hope and King Ajamu, Israel, No Dreads, Meagan Simone, Jersey Goodas, Willpower Bowditch, Queen Kitami, Gregory Hamilton.
Date:: May 12, 2012
Mill Point Park, Hampton VA: 100 Eaton Street Hampton, Virginia 23669, 2pm – 10:00pm
Performance By: Natures Child, Bimini Roads, Session Rockers, Mighty Joshua, Manna of Zion featuring Ton A Hope and King Ajamu, Israel, No Dreads, Meagan Simone, Jersey Goodas, Willpower Bowditch, Queen Kitami, Gregory Hamilton.
Hosted by EVER G, James Red Dread Jackson, and Tamika
The winners of the 2012 Virginia Reggae Award in the following categories will be automatically added to the lineup for the next Hampton Reggae Festival.
It may have been frigid and drizzling outside, but January 21, 2012 sparked a fire inside of the legendary Hampton Coliseum – a fire that has the ability to spread for years to come. The first ever Hampton Reggae Festival brought local and international acts to fans from across Virginia, for a reggae party that was an experience to cherish. Bands often unite for a good show, but rarely does such a large musical family unite in a spirit of togetherness. As performer Ras Puma said during a talk with the audience, this festival was more of a family reunion than a simple day of music, and those who shared in the day’s vibrations were bathed in love.
A sample of the talent appearing on the multiple side stages included the World Drummers drum circle with Arthur Lopez, a “Tribute to Vinyl” DJ set with DJ Barry and the Conscious Brothers (other DJs woven between the bands included DJ Jerseygoodas and regional heavyweight DJ Badjoe), a reggae karaoke session featuring some of the crowd giving their best efforts on the microphone, and a set by Willits Bowditch (also appearing on the main stage) with his acoustic guitar-driven songs. There was no lack of entertainment (including an indoor skate park!) and delicious ital food; all one had to do was take a few steps and something was sure to keep them smiling.
Once they took the stage for a blessed set of performances, Stable Roots never left, starting off with a talent showcase featuring four artists in succession: Mighty Joshua (an undeniably skilled vocalist), Ever-G (his talent earning him a second appearance on stage), Ras Puma (a lyrically uplifting man who never disappoints and who tours with musical giants, Thievery Corporation), and Corey Harris (an internationally-known blues and reggae pillar).In a show of endurance, the Stable Roots band never stumbled, and their time on stage was topped with reggae talent of legendary proportion. The day’s three crowd-pleasing capstone sets included the world-renowned crooning talent of The Itals’ Keith Porter, the long-lived energetic ferocity of The Meditations, and Culture’s enduring flame, as kept alive by Kenyatta Hill. 
Here’s a call to bands trying to live a life that they love. All I can do for a band is offer humble suggestions, but there are a few ingredients that I’ve seen help bands stay alive and employed in this tough way of life. I’ve seen these ingredients work for bands, and I’ve seen the absence of these ingredients make bands fade into memory. None of these guarantees success, but they seem to be some basic building blocks for grabbing a good foothold on the climb up the mountain of growth and achievement.