Federation Sound marks 25 years with free Caribbean concert in Coney Island

CONEY ISLAND, Brooklyn (PIX11) -- It was a celebration that could be felt and heard throughout Brooklyn.

It was the 25th-anniversary reggae and dance hall party to celebrate Federation Sound at the Coney Island Amphitheater. Some of the biggest names in reggae and Dancehall music were there for this vibrant and pulsating party.

Mr. Lexx was just one of the headliners at the Coney Island amphitheater, which was packed with close to 5000 lovers of reggae and Dancehall music.

Fans had come from all over the city to celebrate Federation Sound, which was started in 1999. It was a who’s who of the stars of the “Caribbean massive” music scene.

“The goal and purpose of Federation Sound is to spread our love of Dancehall and reggae and Jamaican music,” Max Glazer, co-founder of Federation Sound, told PIX11 News. “The whole reason it was founded was to spread this music. It’s a Brooklyn thing."

Tifa from Kingston, Jamaica, was another of the stars to join in this celebration, along with Brooklyn’s very own two-time Grammy winner Shaggy and Sister Nancy.

And the fans were loving them all.

“The energy, the passion, all the love that goes into the music,” Tamika Wilbourne, a fan, told PIX11 why she loves this music. “The stories being told, It’s amazing."

“I grew up in this era. I know this,” Kevin Baptiste, another fan, told PIX11 News. “The stuff we have now can’t touch this,” he added.

And a third fan raved.

“I am Caribbean, Afro-Latina. I grew up in Flatbush, so this music is close to my heart and my culture. It moves my body,” Ana Boreira told PIX11 News.

This concert was free, thanks to City Parks’ Summerstage.