Multiple Grammy nominated and Top 10 Billboard artist Maxi Priest kicked off the summer by headlining VP Records 35th anniversary celebration at SummerStage in Central Park with Aquaçai on June 27.
From VP’s artist roster also performing were Gyptian, soca royalty Bunji Garlin and Fay Ann Lyons. The momentous occasion highlighted DJs Bobby Konders and Jabba of Massive B.
This year marks the 35th anniversary of when VP Records’ founders Vincent and his wife Patricia Chin moved their headquarters from Kingston, Jamaica to Jamaica, New York – transforming their operations into the largest Caribbean music company worldwide.
With over 15 million albums sold worldwide Maxi Priest continues to hit the road throughout 2015 in support of his first studio album in almost a decade, Easy To Love. The title track was a No. 1 hit on the charts last summer. The featured song “Hearts Across The World” is a tune for our times and pleas for people of all races to love one another and get along peacefully. Christened the “King of Lovers Rock” by his fans, British reggae star Maxi Priest is considered to be one of the most internationally recognizable reggae singers since Bob Marley.
Having a blast at SummerStage with Aquaçai (Photo courtesy Arthur Eisenberg)
SummerStage is also celebrating their 30th anniversary this year. SummerStage is a program of City Parks Foundation that presents performances of outstanding artistic quality, free of charge, to serve the diverse communities of New York City. To celebrate their 30th anniversary, they have extended the season from May to October and upcoming shows sponsored by Aquaçai include:
July 15 – Central Park – 7pm – NPR and WNYC’s Ask Me Another – SummerStage 30 Year Celebration
August 8 – Central Park – 6pm – SummerStage 30th Anniversary DJ Celebration with Afrika Bambaataa + Gilles Peterson + Quantic
September 24 – Central Park – 7pm – Walk the Moon
VP Records at SummerStage in Central Park (Photo courtesy Arthur Eisenberg)
