We’re excited to present an incredible mix of talent, including an international reggae headliner and a diverse group of local performers.
This year’s main stage will feature the vibrant sounds of reggae, soca, steel drums, Latin rhythms, world music, and more. Scroll down to learn more about each performer and what they’ll be bringing to the stage!
Nailah Blackman is a Trinidadian singer and songwriter known for her soca music. Her career began at age 11, and she’s performed internationally in countries like the US, Canada, and Japan. Blackman’s music is influenced by her culture and incorporates instruments like the guitar and keyboard. She’s the granddaughter of Soca music creator Ras Shorty I and the daughter of singer, actress, and musician Abbi Blackman. Blackman collaborated with soca band Kes on the song “Workout”, which became a massive hit during the 2017 Trinidad carnival season and continues to enjoy lasting popularity. “Workout” took Blackman to the finals of the 2017 International Soca Monarch competition. Blackman also released “Baila Mami” in 2017, produced by Anson Pro Soverall. In 2018, Blackman collaborated with Jamaican dancehall singer Shenseea on a song called “Badishh”. During that year Blackman also earned a BET Award nomination in the category of “Best New International Act”. In August 2019, she released her debut EP The Reel which features the single “Sweet & Loco”. Blackman’s More Sokah was also the chosen tune of Desperadoes Steel Orchestra, winners of the 2020 Panorama title. She eventually released her debut album, entitled Teknique, in 2022. In 2024 Blackman was honored with, a cultural ambassador award, from the University of Miami. In 2025, Billboard called her a “Caribbean Music Award-winning soca superstar.”
Sister Nancy, aka Muma Nancy, real name Ophlin Russell-Myers, is a dancehall DJ and singer. She is known to the world as the first female dancehall DJ and was described as being a “dominating female voice for over two decades” on the dancehall scene. One of her most famous songs is “Bam Bam”, labeled as a “well-known reggae anthem” by BBC and a “classic” by The Observer. Russell-Myers was one of 15 siblings.
Sister Nancy went on to perform at Reggae Sunsplash, making her the first female deejay ever to perform there, and she is also the first female Jamaican deejay to tour internationally. She had further success with singles such as “One Two”, “Money Can’t Buy Me Love”, “Transport Connection” and “Bam Bam”. Her debut album, One Two was released in 1982. She went on to work with producer Henry “Junjo” Lawes, recording “A No Any Man Can Test Sister Nancy”, “Bang Belly”, and a collaboration with Yellowman, “Jah Mek Us Fe A Purpose”. She continued to appear live, sometimes on Jahlove Music with her brother.
Sister Nancy said that although she was working in the banking sector, that “music is [her] first love” and said she still performs “every now and then”. She explained that her absence from the recording scene was due to her wanting to “give other female artists a chance”, though she said she was still “as ready as the first day [she] came into the business”.
Alison Hinds is a cultural force in Caribbean music, crowned the Queen of Soca by fans around the world. Known for her dynamic stage presence, powerful vocals, and empowering lyrics, Alison has become a symbol of pride and resilience for the Caribbean community. Born in London and raised in Barbados, Alison rose to fame as the lead singer of the popular band Square One in the late ’80s and ’90s, delivering hits that dominated regional charts. She made history in 1997 as the first woman to win both the Party Monarch and Road March titles at Barbados’ Crop Over Festival. After forming her own band in 2005, she returned to the spotlight with “Roll It Gal”, an anthem of women’s empowerment that became a massive hit across the Caribbean and internationally. Her debut solo album, Soca Queen, solidified her global reach.
Alison has collaborated with artists like Machel Montano, Shaggy, Jah Cure, and Richie Spice, and performed at major festivals across the U.S., Europe, and the Caribbean. Her contributions have earned her numerous honors, including a Doctor of Letters from the University of the West Indies and a citation from the City of New York for her work as an activist and ambassador of Caribbean culture.
With a career spanning decades, Alison continues to inspire through her music, advocacy, and dedication to preserving and celebrating Caribbean identity.
Celebrating 46 years, ‘Reggae Ambassadors’, THIRD WORLD is one of the longest-lived Reggae bands of all time, and one of Jamaica’s most consistently popular crossover acts among international audiences. Mixing in elements of R&B, funk, pop, and rock and, later on, dancehall and rap, Third World’s style has been described as “reggae-fusion”.
With 9 Grammy nominations and catalogue of charted smash hits (including “Now That We Found Love”, ”96 Degrees in the Shade” and “Try Jah Love” ) spanning over four decades, sold-out tours, a vibrant and loyal fan base and inspirational messages, one may wonder, “Where did it all begin? What gives Third World the staying power so rare in the music industry?” Third World is more than just one of the top Reggae bands of all time, it is an institution that stands for producing and performing music that, while holding firm to the cultural and ancestral roots of its members, still pushes forward the cutting edge of music worldwide.
Junior Toots, son of the legendary Toots Hibbert of Toots & The Maytals was born and raised in St Mary, Jamaica. Junior Toots began singing stage shows at a young age touring internationally with his late father Toots Hibbert who was a mainstay reggae artist on the world stage for over twenty years. Junior Toots has an ever-growing fan base as he has been captivating audiences of all ages far and wide with his electrifying high-energy performances, soul-filled vocals and socially relevant lyrics. His music is up tempo ska and reggae which generates great crowd responses.
Past artists have included JAH-N-I Roots Band, Boubacar Diabate & SambaLolo, Dis-N-Dat Band, Lady Enchantress, DJ Nomadik, DJ Rugged One, and DJ Natty Kool.
Our 2020 Virtual Boston JerkFest Boston JerkFest featured original band member and master cellist Cat Coore of the classic reggae band, THIRD WORLD, Jamaica’s “Reggae Ambassadors”–known for “96° in the Shade” and “Try Jah Love.” Cat Coore joined us in an intimate solo performance and Q&A. Master Drummer Tony Ruption joined the exclusive production, performing in the historic part of Saint Thomas just for our Boston JerkFest fans. THIRD WORLD is a Jamaican reggae fusion band formed in 1973. Their sound is influenced by soul, funk and disco.
