Ghetto Splash to Make Grand Pre-Christmas Return

With the COVID-19 pandemic on the decline, the entertainment sector has reopened as Jamaica attempts to return to normal. 2022 marks the return of several events, and longtime Christmas season staple Ghetto Splash will make its grand return this coming December.

Ghetto Splash, one of Jamaica’s longest-running events, was first staged 33 years ago in Craig Town, Kingston, eventually finding its current home at the Waterhouse Mini Stadium in Drewsland, St Andrew, in 2012. Unlike many other events, Ghetto Splash’s roster of artistes perform for free, allowing its founder, Patrick Roberts, to host an admission-free event for inner-city residents. Like most stage shows in the country, Ghetto Splash was forced on hiatus during the COVID-19 pandemic, but after a two-year absence it will return on December 20.

According to Roberts, securing sponsorship for an event of this calibre, which is likened to a massive stage show such as Reggae Sumfest, is integral to maintaining its quality, but it has been hard. Roberts thanked longtime sponsors such as Joe Bogdanovich of Downsound Records and Boom Energy Drink for their constant support that has lasted for almost a decade. Roberts went on to question if the lack of support from corporate Jamaica was due to the show’s name, but said it was coined Ghetto Splash as they wanted an event as large as Sunsplash but hosted in the inner city.

While speaking with the Jamaica Observer, Roberts noted that due to the closure of the entertainment sector during the pandemic, anticipation has intensified to see new entertainers perform in a live setting. He has confirmed a number of industry veterans, staples, and newcomers that are sure to satiate entertainment-hungry patrons over the holiday season.

Ghetto Splash’s current roster features acts such as Beenie Man, Bounty Killer, Valiant, Shane O, Marcy Chin, Govana, D’Angel, Skeng, and Jahshii.