It’s About That Time Again…. RRU 24

With Reggae Rise Up Florida about a month away, it's time to reflect back on the festival's humble beginnings. What started out as a single-day event within the parking lot of Raymond James Stadium has transformed into a massive festival that brings thousands of people to the scenic Vinoy Park and has even crossed state lines into Maryland and Las Vegas, Nevada. As we prepare for another unforgettable celebration of reggae music and culture, we recogonize the power of reggae music and its community that has propelled Reggae Rise Up from its local roots to a nationwide celebration of the reggae culture. 

Photos by Brian “Porkchop” Nichiolson

This year's headliners transcends the norm. The festival will be graced by the reggae royalty of Stephen and Damian "Jr Gong" Marley, the fiery brilliance of Burning Spear, the laid-back groove of Slightly Stoopid, the conscious vibes of SOJA, the rebel loving spirit of Rebelution, the island beats of Iration, the contagious energy of Dirty Heads, and the poetic flow of Lupe Fiasco. It's not just a lineup, it's an alignment of musical forces that guarentees to elevate the festival to euphoric heights.

The home of Reggae Rise Up Florida, Vinoy Park, creates a picturesque experience for attendees. The beautiful setting enhances the overall atmosphere by allowing attendees to immerse themselves fully in the music. Vinoy Park's surroundings serve as the perfect backdrop for the diverse lineup of reggae acts, creating a harmonious blend of nature and music that adds to the festival's allure. In the shadow of the stage lights and beneath the swaying palms, attendees find themselves in a collective journey toward a more conscious existence.

When the sun dips below the waters of the bay and the music reverberates through the air, the festival truly takes on a magical quality. It transforms into a realm where time slows, and the values of love, justice, and equality are not just sung about but embraced, lived, and cherished. The gathering transcends a mere event. It transforms into a powerful manifestation of the reggae spirit, a place where the music isn't just heard, but felt deeply within the soul.

Photos by Zack Kearney

Over the years, Reggae Rise Up Florida has morphed into a pulsating heart within the reggae community, beating not only with the riddims of the basslines but also the soulful values that define reggae. It’s a place where the sound waves of reggae linger and a meeting ground, where flowing dreadlocks and those seeking the spiritual embrace of "safety meetings" at 4:20 converge. ​​Reggae Rise Up Florida also personifies the values that reggae music so profoundly conveys — love, unity, social consciousness, and the everlasting commitment to promote positive change in the world. Reggae Rise Up Florida isn’t just a destination, it’s a journey into a realm where the music transcends onto the crowd, mixing into a rhythmic alchemy that defies the ordinary and thrusts attendees into the extraordinary.

Review by Brendan McGinley

Photos by Brian “Porkchop” Nicholson and Zack Kearney

Videos by Brian “Porkchop” Nicholson and Zack Kearney