Reggae legends and new stars headline Best of the Best concert in downtown Miami

Best of the Best, Miami’s premier concert for reggae, soca and dancehall, returns to its Memorial Day weekend slot at Bayfront Park this Sunday. This weekend’s show is the first “back to normal” Best of the Best concert since the pandemic began, said Jabba, the concert’s producer and DJ for New York City’s HOT 97.

This year’s lineup features up-and-coming Caribbean artists and established reggae legends Mr. Vegas and Beres Hammond. The concert, now in its 16th edition, is a cultural cornerstone for South Florida, a place Jabba calls “the heart of the Caribbean.”

As COVID-19 restrictions were lifted, the concert held a smaller event in October 2021. Now, the community is ready to soak in the West Indian vibes, Jabba said.

“Every island lives in South Florida, from Jamaica to Trinidad to Haiti to Guyana to St. Vincent,” he said. “Every Island is out here, so to have massive events in full blast — words can’t even explain how excited I am for this event.”

This year’s concert is an opportunity for several new artists to break into Miami’s scene after the pandemic put a damper on live performances. Yaksta, an emerging reggae artist hailing from St. Mary, Jamaica, is a newcomer to the Best of the Best stage.

Despite the challenges, Yaksta has been able to make a name for himself in Jamaica and abroad. His biggest hit yet, an inspirational track called “Ambition,” has garnered 11 million views on YouTube since it dropped last year. Yaksta, who worked at beach resorts and sold clothes before pursuing music, focuses heavily on entrepreneurship and generational wealth in his songs.

He said fans at Best of the Best can expect an energetic performance with his popular songs like “Boogie Woogie,” and of course, “some fresh new ones for the ladies.”

Yaksta will be sharing the stage with comedian Majah Hype and artists 10Tik, Patrice Roberts, Cham, Lyrikal, Laa Lee, Ricardo Drue, Chris Martin, Pressure, Mr. Vegas and Beres Hammond, also known as “the love doctor.”

“The ladies love him,” Jabba said of Hammond. “Anywhere he’s at, the ladies will come.”

Hammond, a Grammy-nominated singer known as “the Otis Redding of Reggae,” returns to the Best of the Best stage for the first time in six years. Sunday’s concert is also his first time performing in the U.S. in over two years since the pandemic began. Since his debut in the ‘70s, Hammond’s career has been marked by soulful tunes like “Rockaway” and “I Feel Good.”

The prolific crooner and love song specialist is considered to be a living icon. But if you ask him about his legendary status, he’ll just shrug it off.

“Whatever you give, I’ll take it,” Hammond said with a laugh. “I’m just happy to be around to give my contribution to whatever is taking place.”

Hammond had been in Jamaica since wrapping up his stint on the Love and Harmony Cruise. When asked about his set list for Best of the Best, Hammond shrugged again. He wasn’t sure which of his many hits he’ll perform, but he did know one thing for certain.

“I just approach it with a positive vibe and hope the folks will enjoy,” he said.

Good vibes, indeed.

If you go

What: Best of the Best

Where: Bayfront Park. 301 Biscayne Blvd, Miami, FL 33132

When: 3 p.m. to 11 p.m. Sunday

Cost: Tickets start at $65. Free for children 12 and under.

Info: bestofthebestconcert.com

This story was produced with financial support from The Pérez Family Foundation, in partnership with Journalism Funding Partners, as part of an independent journalism fellowship program. The Miami Herald maintains full editorial control of this work.