Warm welcome for Shabba Ranks

Red Stripe star performer for Reggae Sumfest

Dancehall icon Shabba Ranks arrived in Jamaica on Monday, a few days prior to his scheduled performance at Reggae Sumfest 2012, in Catherine Hall, St James.

Shabba Ranks landed at the Norman Manley International Airport where he was greeted by a gathering of Reggae Sumfest organisers, major sponsors of the three-night festival and members of the media fraternity in the Pineapple Lounge. The Trailer Load A Girls singer was in high spirits and greeted his mother, Constance Christie, whom he hadn't seen in years.

The artiste was also showered with gifts from Sumfest sponsors and was presented with a gift package from Red Stripe which was presented by Sean Yelle, senior brand manager of Red Stripe. Upon exiting the arrival lounge the entertainer was bombarded by a large gathering of fans as he made his way to his awaiting vehicle.

"He is the real world boss" shouted an awaiting fan, "everybody see this crowd".

Large crowd

An unexpected and overwhelmingly large crowd turned out to welcome the star, who had to be escorted back inside the arrival terminal to escape the growing multitude.

When the Red Stripe star performer finally made it out of the airport, a convoy of Red Stripe vehicles waited to take him to his hometown in Seaview Gardens. A motorcade made its way to his mother's home.

The motorcade then proceeded to Compound in Olympic Square where the Red Stripe vehicles provided music and beer for the gathering of Shabba fans, who welcomed the singer.

"If today's turnout is anything to go by, then thousands will be making the trek to Montego Bay to witness the performance of this great star. Red Stripe is extremely pleased to be a part of this welcome, and to have this magnitude of an icon as our star performer makes us quite proud," Sean Yelle said.

The artiste took the music industry by storm with hits like Shine Eye Gyal, Peanie Peanie, Ting A Ling and collaborations such as Mr Loverman featuring Deborahe Glasgow and Watcha Gonna Do which featured Queen Latifah, and took his music to the ultimate high globally.

Shabba Ranks fans attending Reggae Sumfest on International Night 1, on Friday, July 20 can look forward to a very entertaining performance from the artiste.

(from Jamaica Star)