IRD is a 24 hour global media festival anchored in Jamaica celebrating the best of Jamaica’s music and creativity and its influence around the world IRD is the first ever annual calendar event to be officially proclaimed and dedicated to REGGAE MUSIC
International Reggae Day was inspired by Winnie Mandela’s address to Jamaican women during her official visit to Jamaica with her husband Nelson after his release
IRD is a Media and Music Festival marketing platform to highlight
Jamaica’s creative industries and mobilize the global Reggae community
IRD was launched July 1, 1994 and proclaimed by
Jamaica’s Governor General Sir Howard Cooke in 2000
IRD is registered trademark which has been promoted as an annual event since its inception.
IRD mobilizes participating media worldwide for a 24-hour global Reggae party
hosted by Jamaica.
IRD has also been produced over the years as a Kingston music lifestyle festival, creative industries expo, exhibits, awards, business/copyright/creative industries conferences, workshops, talent search, film festival and a launch platform for various products from JAMAICA’s lifestyle product line (music | restaurant | books | film).
Previous IRD performers include Toots and the Maytals, Culture, Gregory Issacs, Morgan Heritage, Luciano, Anthony B, Tarrus Riley, Leroy Sibbles, Ken Boothe, Mighty Diamonds, Ernie Smith, Tony Rebel, Dean Frazer, Tessanne Chin, Junior Kelly, Turbulence, George Nooks, LUST, Cherine Anderson, Chuck Fenda, Diana King, Nahki, Kulcha Knox, VC, Abijah, Brent Dowe, Romain Virgo, Duane Stephenson, Alaine, Raging Fyah, Jesse Royal, Jah 9, Chantelle Ernandez, President Brown, Pam Hall, L’Acadco, Studio One All-Stars,
Alpha Boys Band and the Oberlin School Choir.