Impressions: Behind the Scenes at the 2017 Welcome to Jamrock Reggae Cruise

Words by LargeUp Crew
Photos by Martei Korley

Now that we’ve given you a look onstage and inside the DJ booth at this year’s Welcome to Jamrock Reggae Cruise, here’s a look backstage and behind the scenes at Damian Marley‘s fourth-annual Caribbean boat ride. We can always count on Martei Korley to get those shots no one else can, and after attending the Jamrock Cruise for all four years, he’s brought back images of unguarded moments featuring some of reggae and dancehall’s biggest names.

Scroll through below, and keep it locked here for more from the Jamrock Cruise.

Host Damian Marley poses with a fan during the Sail Away party on Monday night

First generation meets this generation: Big Youth, one of the original dancehall deejays, poses for a pic with Kabaka Pyramid

Foota Hype runs tune as onlookers await the start of the performances on Night 1

Tarrus Riley gets in a laugh before his performance on Night One

Cocoa Tea stops for a pic after an excellent performance on Night 1

[From L to R]: Jr. Gong, Cham, Abishai Hoilett (of the Bebble Rockers), Kabaka Pyramid

Shinehead and DJ Papalotl of Kingston 12Hifi, staples of the Jamrock Cruise who’ve appeared in all four years, share a moment backstage

Damian Marley, Richie Spice, Stephen Marley and Luciano share a laugh, as Foota Hype and DJ Norie play it cool in the background

Cross! Bounty Killer, with longtime producer Jazzwad

‘Nuff pics get snapped as Luciano and Popcaan make their way through the crowds backstage. Behind Popcaan is his father, Shaggy; his sister, Annalecia (aka “Squid”); and Dre Island, who joined Poppy on stage for a performance of their collaboration, “We Pray.”

Luciano and Wayne Marshall greet one another, as singer Christopher Ellis and producer Baby G look on

Popcaan embraces a fan

And another one

Popcaan, Mutabaruka and Tony Matterhorn hold a reasoning

Champagne with Cham…

Stage production manager Norman ‘Bulpus‘ Bryan (of Tuff Gong International) keeps things running smoothly.

Cham poses with a fan

The Unruly Boss

Popcaan and family — cousin Unruly Cuzz, Petro Unruly, Squid and Shaggy — with Sharon Williams

Ray Paul (of London’s Playmaker Group) runs Jamrock Radio, which airs throughout the ship all week long

Jah Cure, sporting a coordinated outfit on Night 4

Roselyn Williams is a longtime harmony/backing singer for Damian Marley

Mitchum ‘Khan’ Chin, guitarist for the Blak Soil Band, and Sizzla Kalonji, before the latter’s performance on Night 4

Fresh ink! Cruise coordinator Cristy Barber shows off her new tattoo

Singer/bandleader Kumar Bent of Raging Fyah with Jamaican media personality/TV producer Odessa Chambers