The inaugural High Life Festival is scheduled for Woodstock in Negril on October 14.

British rapper MC Solomon, one of the organisers and acts, said it will showcase artistes from different countries and genres.

His Kamani Records, which has promoted shows in India and his native England, are co-promoters of the event along with Westmoreland-based Woodstock Jamaica.

“The concept is based around bringing together local and international artistes, with multiple genres, under the same event space, connecting producers, artistes and creatives and creating a safe space for music and arts to flourish,” MC Solomon told the Jamaica Observer.

Chanter Derajah, roots singer Prince J, and Lioness Sasanya are some of the other acts on High Life Festival.

MC Solomon said they were selected through a network of colleagues in Jamaica, the UK and Brazil.

He added that, “Our intention was to create a dynamic of different genres all blended into the same evening of performances including singers, reggae artistes, hip hop artistes, and feel-good DJs.”

According to his biography, MC Solomon divides his time between the England and Goa, India’s smallest state and he is one of the organisers of the Goa Hop Festival there.

His songs, which include 7 Straight Days and Brand New Attitude, are a blend of hip hop and Jungle.

MC Solomon often collaborates with British reggae acts such as Apache Indian and Jungle producer Congo Natty.

He and Woodstock Jamaica hope to present more than just quality music at the High Life Festival.

“We feel it’s important to collaborate and create stable foundations for independent music and awareness in Jamaica of the event itself, connect with like-minded individuals in Jamaica, create a platform to allow musicians and artistes to perform their art to the audience, and networking opportunities, with the intention of becoming a small-scale grass roots international festival, providing music, arts, food, dance, youth workshops, and giving a percentage of the festival to a locally selected charity in Jamaica,” he disclosed.

— Howard Campbell