Reggae Sumfest, slated for July 17-24 in Montego Bay boasts a magnificent lineup of local and international acts.

The headliners for this year’s concert are professionals and generals in the musical army. They have been consistent, accomplished and celebrated in the business.

Leading the international pack is Usher, the highly decorated singer and actor. Usher has won five Grammy awards, eight Soul Train Awards and 19 Billboard Music Awards since his musical debut in 1994. He entered the business that year with the single Think of You, but soared to popularity three years later with the hit song My Way.

In 2001 Usher released the album 8701, which went four times platinum riding on the success of hit singles such as U Remind Me and U Got It Bad. In 2004 Confessions sold over 10 million copies in the US. It was ranked as grossing the highest sales in the first week for an R&B artiste in history. Subsequently, the album sold 20 million copies worldwide and was certified Diamond by the Recording Industry Association Of America (RIAA). Usher will perform at International Night Two on Saturday July 24.

Another international headliner is Chris Brown, an extremely gifted singer and performer, whose age belies his talent. At 16 years old in 2005, Chris Brown made his recording debut with the self-titled album Chris Brown, and since then, has turned into a virtual hit machine. That album featured the hit single Run It!,which topped the Billboard Hot 100 chart, and has sold over two million copies in the United States. It was also certified double Platinum by the RIAA. Chris Brown will perform on International Night One Friday July 23.

Grammy award winning artiste, Shaggy has released six albums, two of which have achieved multi-platinum status. He has also scored with five number one hits and 11 top ten singles worldwide. Among his biggest numbers are Oh Carolina, Boombastic, and It Wasn’t Me.

Queen Ifrica is Jamaica’s Reggae Queen and a champion of meaningful and cutting lyrics. A daughter of Montego Bay, she has captured the hearts of Jamaicans with soulful and conscious music that touches a variety of current topics on society. The title track from her Montego Bay album reached within the top ten of the Billboard Reggae Chart. In addition she is known for other chart topping numbers Mi Naa Rub, Serve and Protect, Daddy, Far Away, and Below The Waist. Queen Ifrica will perform on International Night One Friday July 23.

Beenie Man is proclaimed the King Of The Dancehall, a title he proudly wears with good reason. He has been a constant force within Jamaican music for nearly two decades, and continues to set new boundaries. Beenie Man has won a Grammy award for his album Art And Life, and has done collaborationss with Janet Jackson, Akon, Busta Rhymes, Doug-E-Fresh, TI, Wyclef Jean and others. He will perform on International Night Two on Saturday July 24.