Legendary reggae artiste Luciano is gearing up for a special performance at the 2026 Reggae Gold Awards & Jamaica Music Museum Hall of Fame Induction, set for Friday, February 27.
The Messenger will take the stage with the Reggae Symphony Orchestra at the National Arena in Kingston. Other artistes on the star-studded lineup include Reggae Month Ambassador Etana, LUST, Chris Malachi, and Richie Stephens.
“I am extremely excited, especially because of the previous experience with the Philharmonic Orchestra,” the Lord Give Me Strength singer told THE WEEKEND STAR.
Luciano had a standout moment with the orchestra in 2014 at the Reggae Sundance Festival in Holland, where he collaborated with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, alongside Dean Fraser and Skool Band, under the baton of conductor Peter Ashbourne.
Looking forward to the performance, Luciano’s enthusiasm for the orchestra was unmistakable.
“It feels so good to sing and hear the melodious sounds from the orchestra … it takes you to another level totally.”
The orchestra will be further strengthened by Megaband, a reggae ensemble led by talented musician Michael ‘Megabass’ Fletcher, with a general rehearsal scheduled for Monday.
This performance holds special significance for Luciano. He revealed that his last appearance at a national event, the Grand Gala last year, did not go as planned.
“Someone messed up my performance on stage, and Minister [of Entertainment] [Olivia] Grange promised me that she would give me an opportunity to make up and do a good performance for the Jamaican people,” Luciano told THE WEEKEND STAR.
“This is it,” he added.
For this show, Luciano has chosen to share the spotlight with Mikey General and Garnett Silk Jr.
Having risen to prominence in the 1990s, Luciano has enjoyed a storied career with hits such as It’s Me Again Jah, Sweep Over My Soul, Lord Give Me Strength, Never Give Up My Pride, and Messenger.
When THE WEEKEND STAR caught up with him on Tuesday, he was in the US for work, having already performed in the US Virgin Islands, Philadelphia, New Jersey, Connecticut, and Boston since the start of the year. In January, he also took the stage at Goa Sunsplash, described as “India’s biggest celebration of Reggae music.”
