When Stacious stepped onto the Reggae Sumfest stage on Saturday night as a surprise guest during Mavado’s set it was more than a welcome return for the dancehall artiste; it was an opportunity to be part of a moment that will be remembered as one of the festival’s most significant.

The entertainer joined Mavado during his historic showcase with fellow headliner Vybz Kartel, a performance that celebrated unity over division and marked a new chapter in one of dancehall’s most defining rivalries.

For Stacious, whose catalogue includes one of the most notable collaborations with Mavado in dancehall history, the occasion carried both personal and cultural significance.

“I can’t remember the last time I did Sumfest,” she told the Jamaica Observer following the performance. “I know I’ve done the show three times in the past, but I can’t remember when was the last time. It’s a good feeling being back.”

Her return came after years away from the festival’s stage, making the appearance all the more meaningful.

“I’m here tonight not just as an artiste, but as a fan of dancehall because Gully/Gaza did a run road, and now both deejays will come together in unity on one stage. It’s an honour to be a part of it,” she told the Jamaica Observer.

The sentiment echoed what many fans experienced inside Plantation Cove in St Ann as thousands watched two of dancehall’s biggest icons perform together, putting years of division behind them in favour of celebration.

For Stacious, the night also marked a long-awaited reunion with the man who helped produce, Come Into My Room, one of her most memorable collaborations.

“Mavado also hasn’t performed in Jamaica for a while and I’m here to witness the return of the Gully Gad, so it’s a great night,” she said. “Mavado and I haven’t performed together in maybe over 10 years, so it’s been a long time. The awesome thing is that it’s always good when we connect, and we enjoyed ourselves, which was most important.”

Stacious was among the female voices who helped shape dancehall during the late 2000s and early 2010s. Her surprise appearance on Saturday served as a reminder of that era while signalling that she still has plenty left to offer.

Away from the nostalgia, the deejay says she is focused on new music and reconnecting with supporters. She is currently promoting two singles, Tears and Velvet Sweetheart, the latter of which recently received the visual treatment and is now available for streaming across digital platforms.

Stacious is encouraging fans to subscribe to her YouTube channel and follow her social media pages to stay updated on upcoming releases, performances, and other career developments.

— Shereita Grizzle

Maavado takes the audience through the paces at the recent Sumfest at Plantation Cove, St Ann. (Photo: Garfield Robinson)