Mel Cooke, Freelance Writer

Beenie Man at Summer Sizzle held at Jamalco Sports Club, Clarendon Last Wednesday. - Nathaniel Stewart

When the 2008 Irie Jamboree was launched at the Asylum NightClub, New Kingston, on Thursday night, the wave rags distributed near the entrance and the high-quality, full colour posters inside the club underscored the magnitude of the annual event.

And a 'confirmed' under the names of a slew of performers on the fold-out poster underscored the 'Kings of Dancehall' tag for this year's staging of 'Irie Jamboree', set for Sunday, August 31, at the Roy Wilkins Park in Queens, New York.

Among them are the two deejays whose names were being juggled for the dancehall crown not so long ago, Yellowman and Beenie Man. Also confirmed are Sizzla, Elephant Man, Tarrus Riley, Cocoa Tea, Little Hero, Admiral Bailey, Serani, Bugle and DeMarco.

Also slated for the show are Konshens, RDX, Tanya Mullings, Lushy Banton and Asante Amen, among others.

The line-up represents a significant departure from last year's staging of the mega-concert, as it was then much more roots oriented. Headliner was Stephen Marley, with Luciano, Etana, Morgan Heritage and Pressure on the slate of performers. Anthony B and Munga Honourable represented the blend of roots and dancehall.

A measure of Irie Jamboree's success is its achievement of a top concert win at the International Reggae and World Music Awards, with estimates of up to 25,000 people attending one staging.

Among the sponsors of Irie Jamboree 2008 are Western Union, Pay-O-Matic, Grace and Digicel.