As the momentum for the highly-anticipated Streetz Festival mounts, the Jamaica Observer’s Splash was reliably informed that British-born rapper 21 Savage, as well as American rapper/singer Latto will be among the guest appearances for the mega event.
Dancehall heavyweight Popcaan will headline the festival with I-Wayne among those featured on the Culture Stage, but by all accounts the event is set to also feature several other heavy hitters spanning different genres and decades.
When contacted, festival organiser Chad Williams did not disclose the details of the surprise roster, but promised an unforgettable show.
“As what has become customary for Streetz Festival, our headline act usually — within their set — brings up surprise guest artiste features. Popcaan’s [set] will be no different. We have a few major surprises in store. Look out for greats from the 80s, greats from the 90s… look overseas. You can look to the Diaspora as well. There are lots of surprises in store,” Williams told the Splash on Thursday.
The international rappers reportedly arrived on the island on Thursday ahead of Saturday’s event at the National Stadium.
Of note, 21 Savage and Latto are no strangers to Popcaan. In 2023 Redrum rapper 21 Savage linked up with the dancehall star during a trip to Jamaica. He has also gone viral for going live on his Instagram page singing along to Popcaan hits like St Thomas Native.
Latto, on the other hand, met with the deejay during a Jamaican vacation in March of this year. He also made a cameo appearance in the official music video for her track titled Somebody, which was released in May.
The “Unruly Boss” had previously vowed to deliver a solid set with prioritisation on the track Firm and Strong. He provided a brief insight into what to expect at the festival’s launch in May.
“…Unruly Fest, as you all know, did end prematurely because of the police, and everybody already knows wah happen. Mi did have a whole choir weh me did pay fi perform wid me fi do Firm and Strong, and I don’t want to pay another choir to do Streetz Festival and I encounter with the same set of police, because that will not be a lifestyle moment,” the entertainer said at the time, encouraging promoters to ensure all is set to avoid any unpleasant encounters with law enforcement.
“Wi haffi make sure seh the police dem in line and nuh wah stop Firm and Strong da night deh. As long as we can make sure seh we get the approval fi di choir forward pon stage before the festival lock off, no problem.”
Disc jockeys/selectors on the night will include Boom Boom, Chromatic, and Coppershot, as well as The Dubwise Experience on the Culture Stage at 8:00 pm.
