Jesse Royal and Etana for Food & Drink Festival

Reggae artistes Jesse Royal and Etana will bring live music to two of the Jamaica Food & Drink Festival's signature events, adding a strong cultural layer to the four-day culinary celebration.

Jesse Royal will headline Kuyah, the festival's opening event on the Kingston waterfront this evening.

Known for his conscious lyrics and commanding stage presence, Royal has built a reputation as one of reggae's leading voices of his generation, with songs such as Modern Day Judas, LionOrder and Finally, resonating with audiences locally and internationally.

Kuyah has become a defining part of the festival, pairing contemporary interpretations of Jamaican cuisine with live entertainment in an open-air setting overlooking the downtown waterfront.

Meanwhile, Etana will perform at Meet Street: The Market on Saturday, at Hope Gardens. The Grammy-nominated singer, often referred to as the Strong One, is known for powerful vocals and a catalogue that includes Warrior Love, I Am Not Afraid and People Talk.

Meet Street will also feature performances by Silver Birds Steel Orchestra and DJ Delano throughout the day.

The festival runs from March 5-8 in Kingston.