With both Black History Month and Reggae Month celebrated in February, Miramar’s Vice Mayor Alexandra P Davis, who is of Jamaican heritage, came up with the idea of a music festival that would showcase the diverse musical offerings, food, and art of African Americans and Jamaicans.

Four years later, the Afro Carib Festival has become the go-to event in South Florida that celebrates both African American heritage and Jamaica’s pulsating reggae music.

“I wanted to have a festival that encompasses both Black History Month and Reggae Month. And so, we find that when you talk about the African Diaspora and all the genres of music, if we could fuse that into a festival then people can learn from each other. I think that’s the best thing, because you not only got the music, you got the food and the merchandising,” Davis disclosed in an interview at the Afro Carib Festival on Saturday.

Held at Miramar Regional Park’s Amphitheatre, the event attracted a full house of patrons who enjoyed high-powered performances from a number of acts.

Leading the charge were singer Nadine Sutherland, deejay Tony Rebel, Grammy winner Kabaka Pyramid, Afrobeats star Fireboy DML, salsa musician David Lucca and his band, and Haitian recording artiste Kenny Haiti.

Davis shared some of the challenges in the early years of the festival.

“It was just getting the people to see the vision that I had, and making sure I had a good team in place. I knew it could work. As it relates to our objectives, absolutely, they have been achieved and it can only get better. It’s a good cultural event and people are able to celebrate their blackness,” said Davis.

Nadine Sutherland said she was happy to be a part of the line-up.

“I was caught up in the whole set to deliver a professional set. We have to celebrate black history and where we’re coming from as a people. I think it is important for us to understand what our forefathers went through. I’m just excited to be on this event,” Sutherland told the Jamaica Observer.

Sutherland excited the crowd with songs, among them Babyface, Anything For You, I’m in Love, Wicked and Wild, Wicked Fi Please Me, and a cover of I Can See Clearly Now.

Just Friends was a #1 hit in 2001 for deejay Tony Rebel and singer Swade. Rebel’s daughter Daviannah filled in for Swade in her maiden performance in South Florida.

“Performing with my dad was a really good experience. What I enjoyed most was the crowd’s reception,” said Daviannah.

Tony Rebel interjected, “The highlight was bringing out Daviannah and it was good. If we did make the people dem feel good in the 90s, we can let them remember that time now in 2024 and enjoy themselves.”

Jah By My Side, Sweet Jamaica, Nazarene Vow, and Fresh Vegetable, were the songs that aided Tony Rebel on his musical voyage.

Grammy-winning singer and former member of Ziggy Marley and the Melody Makers, Sharon Marley, performed her current single Steppah to an appreciative audience, while David Lucca and his band spiced things up with a healthy serving of salsa.

Haitian musician Kenny Haiti, who recently started work on a collaboration with dancehall artiste Dexta Daps, said he appreciated the support he got from the audience.

“It was a great vibe, great environment, and I like the way they embraced me. The people inspire me because I am making great music for them,” he said.

Sa Fem Mal, Demantible M, Pyem Mare, and Woulib were the songs that comprised his 15-minute set.

Afrobeats singer Fireboy DML was a hit with the younger members of the audience, who sang along word for word to his hits Peru, All of Us, and Bandana.

Kabaka Pyramid was joined by Yohan Marley on the track Made It, a tribute to Yohan’s brother Jo Mersa Marley, who passed away last year. Believe, Red Gold and Green, Brute Force, and Well Done all resonated with the crowd.