The 44th annual Tribute to the Reggae Legends in San Diego, CA will span two days: Friday, February 21 and Saturday, February 22, 2025. Friday will feature a Sound System night called “Virgin Islands Meets Jamaica,” and Saturday will be a full day celebrating roots reggae legends.
2025 LINEUP (subject to change)
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 21 — VIRGIN ISLANDS MEETS JAMAICA SOUNDSYSTEM
From the Virgin Islands: Dezarie and Ninjah P
From Jamaica: Michael Palmer, Ranking Joe and more
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 22 — ROOTS LEGENDS
Sister Nancy, Johnny Osbourne, Warrior King, Etana, Triston Palmer, Junior Toots—(Tribute to Toots), Little John, Empress Akua, Quinto Sol, Mara Sulu with Revival, DJ Mykol Orthodox, Good Over Evil Soundsystem
ABOUT THE FESTIVAL
Tribute to the Reggae Legends, also known as “Bob Marley Day”, honors the rich legacy of reggae music. Founded by Prophet World Beat Productions in honor of Bob Marley’s legacy, the event began as a small gathering and eventually grew to fill the San Diego Sports Arena, thanks to a partnership with Moss Jacobs.
Reggae has always held a special place at the WorldBeat Center. Its executive director and founder, Makeda Dread Cheatom, hosted Reggae Makossa radio on 91X FM for 25 years alongside her partners Damaja Le, Dereka, and Carlos Culture. Together, they organized many reggae club nights, boat cruises, and the annual Bob Marley Day festival in San Diego. As reggae legends began to pass on, the event was renamed Tribute to the Reggae Legends. The event also began the annual Bob Marley Peace Award for community members doing exemplary work as well the Reggae Legends Award to honor the living legends.
After 25 years at the San Diego Sports Arena, the festival moved to the Broadway Pier in downtown San Diego. Later, it returned to its roots at the WorldBeat Cultural Center with the Exodus festival.
Reggae music carries a powerful message of unity, peace, and awareness of social inequities. The WorldBeat Center remains dedicated to preserving the legacy and message of reggae legends like Bob Marley and Peter Tosh.
LOCATION
The WorldBeat Cultural Center is located at 2100 Park Blvd, San Diego, CA 92101.
Founded in 1984 as WorldBeat Productions by Executive Director, Makeda Dread in San Diego, CA. WorldBeat Cultural Center serves the community as a non-profit community center, performing arts center for classes and showcasing, museum, gift shop, cafe and outdoor classroom. Join us for a daily dance or percussion class, an annual event, lecture or book the venue for your own event!
TICKETS AND INFO
Tickets range from $40 to $80 and can be purchased online at:
“Tickets for good, not greed”, Humanitix dedicates 100% of profits from booking fees to charity.
Plenty of tickets will be available at the door. This is an all-ages event.
The event on Friday is from 8pm – 11:30pm and the hours on Saturday are 2pm to midnight.
For more information, visit: https://www.worldbeatcenter.org/ or events@worldbeatcenter.org; 619-230-1190.
