Ayetian and Jamal Confirmed for “A Taste of Sumfest” Lineup in St. Ann

Fast-rising dancehall acts Ayetian and Jamal join headliners Vybz Kartel and Mavado for one of the most anticipated stagings in Jamaica’s music landscape, with both artistes having already amassed over 100 million YouTube views each

L-R: Jamal and Ayetian add to “A Taste of Sumfest” lineup (Photo: Jamar Cleary)

The highly anticipated Reggae Sumfest 2026 has announced two more artistes for this year’s staging, set to take place at Plantation Cove in St. Ann on July 18.

Dancehall artistes Ayetian and Jamal were officially confirmed on Friday as additional acts for the “A Taste of Reggae Sumfest” showcase. They will join dancehall heavyweights Vybz Kartel and Mavado, who are set to headline the event. The two iconic rivals famously dominated the Gully and Gaza era of dancehall, creating countless hit songs and one of the genre’s most historic rivalries, making this upcoming staging one of the most anticipated moments in Jamaican entertainment this year.

For Ayetian, the booking continues his rapid rise following a breakout 2025 campaign. His hit single “Tip,” later remixed with Shenseea and Skillibeng, has amassed over 13.5 million combined views across both versions. “Weh You Deh Pan” featuring Govana has crossed 14 million views, while “What I Like” alongside Moliy and Tyga has surpassed 10 million views, further cementing his emergence as one of dancehall’s new-generation stars. After making his debut on the Sumfest stage last year, Ayetian is now set for a highly anticipated return.

Jamal, also known as 1Dunceman, enjoyed a breakthrough run in 2025 with the success of “Ballandor,” which surpassed 20 million YouTube views. He followed up with tracks like “Time” with over 7.1 million views, “999,” and the viral hit “Faada,” which has accumulated nearly 7 million views in just four months. With total career views now surpassing 115 million on YouTube, Jamal has rapidly positioned himself among dancehall’s most talked-about new acts and is now preparing for one of the biggest performances of his career on the Sumfest stage.

This year’s staging of Reggae Sumfest is being temporarily moved to St. Ann following the destruction caused by Hurricane Melissa in parts of Montego Bay, including damage to hotel properties and event infrastructure.