By the Caribbean Journal staff

Since it debuted in 1978, Jamaica’s Reggae Sunsplash was one of the world’s most legendary reggae festivals.

And now it’s coming back.

After a 12 year hiatus, the iconic music gathering, which has hosted stars from Bob Marley to Dennis Brown to Freddie McGregor, is making a return.

The festival has been licensed to eMedia Interactive Group as part of a broader investment deal with the Guardsman Group, which owns the Reggae Sunsplash brand.

The staging of the festival will be executed under eMedia media and entertainment division, Vertical Creative.

“Reggae Music is at an all time high. We have just just received World Heritage Status from UNESCO for Reggae, Buju Banton was recently released from prison to return to his craft and a line-up of well attended live shows in addition to extremely competitive Grammy Nominations in the Reggae Segment,” said Tyrone Wilson, president and CEO of eMedia Interactive Group. “This is one of Jamaica’s best assets with strong tourism and entertainment value and we are pleased to be the license holder of Reggae Sunsplash – Jamaica’s most historic Reggae Festival.”

Vertical Creative will announce more details on what’s being dubbed Reggae Sunsplash, The Return.

— CJ