Excitement and nostalgia rolled through Central Park in New York as Morgan Heritage took the stage for their SummerStage show last Saturday.

Thousands of fans filled Rumsey Playfield for an event that served as a homecoming for the trailblazing Reggae band, a celebration of VP Records’ 45th anniversary, and a tribute to Peetah Morgan, the band’s beloved brother and longtime lead singer, who passed away in February. When the headliners began their set with ‘Strictly Roots’ accompanied by images of Peetah on a screen behind them, the massive crowd greeted them with a chorus of cheers.

The event, produced by the City Parks Foundation in partnership with Capital One and presented by VP Records and CTBC Music Group, marked a pivotal moment for the Grammy-winning group, returning to New York City to reconnect with their roots.

Siblings and band members Gramps, Lukes, Mojo, and Una, along with Gramps’ son, Jemere Morgan, played beloved hits like ‘Down by the River’, ‘Brooklyn and Jamaica’, and ‘Mount Zion Medley’ while also using the show to bridge the gap between past and future. Throughout their set, they honoured their late patriarch Denroy Morgan and introduced a new generation of talent through Priel, Raiah, and Esh Morgan, who are carrying the torch forward for the “Royal Family of Reggae.”

The audience remained lively throughout, partly due to the immense talent that preceded the band and that joined them on stage. The show, hosted by Pat McKay, featured sets from Reggaelation Sound, Massive B (Bobby Konders & Jabba), legendary selector Lion Face, and DJ Norie of Power 105.1.

A highlight of the evening came when surprise guest Sharon Marley took the stage for a heartfelt rendition of ‘No Woman, No Cry’ with the lyrics changed to “No mama, no cry.”

Morgan Heritage’s hour-and-a-half-long set was further energised by surprise appearances from Ras Shiloh and Tarrus Riley, both of whom matched the hype of the crowd.

“To see the love and support from our family, friends, and most of all, our fans, the Loyal Royals, was truly amazing. We’re grateful to our family, Chris & Randy Chin, and the entire team at VP Records, the city of New York, and Central Park SummerStage for making it possible for us to celebrate the life of our brother Peetah Morgan and the legacy we’ve built together in the place we were born. Big Brooklyn every time!” Morgan Heritage said.

They continued: “Our children were also extremely happy to feel the support they received. As the next generation, we are preparing to carry on the legacy. The future is bright, and we will continue doing what we love until the year 3000 and beyond. We’ll see you in a city near you very soon, and never forget that we love you all. ROCKAZ!”

“Bringing Morgan Heritage back to New York for this event was essential, not just for the band but for everyone involved,” said Randy Chin, president of VP Records.

“The connection between the band and their fans, especially as they honoured Peetah and introduced the next generation, was something special. It’s incredible to see the community celebrate life, music, and legacy on this scale, and we’re proud to have played a role in making this moment possible. We’re also excited to see how their story unfolds from here,” Chin added.

Morgan Heritage has been a cornerstone in Reggae music for decades. Since its formation in 1994, the band has headlined festivals across the globe and released over a dozen studio albums, winning the Grammy Award for Reggae Album of the Year in 2016 for Strictly Roots and earning a second nomination in 2018 for Avrakedabra. Peetah Morgan, known for his soulful voice and profound lyrics, played a pivotal role in the band’s success and influence in the genre.