Festival Overview

The Sweet Cry Freedom Festival was first staged in Antigua in 1993 and in spite of the rapid increase in similar events staged by other Caribbean Islands; the festival was firmly established as one of the premier music festivals in the region.

The Festival brought to Antigua many persons from near and far who were thrilled by the performances from some of the world’s best artists. Between 1993 and 1997 these renowned artists treated their fans to unforgettable performances: -

THE WAILERS; ARROW; BANKIE BANX; THIRD WORLD; BORN JAMERICANS, SANCHEZ; BUJU BANTON; BERES HAMMOND; LLOYD PARKS & WE THE PEOPLE BAND; DAVID RUDDER; SPICE & COMPANY; SQUARE ONE; KASSAV; ATLANTIC; RONNIE MCKINTOSH; DEAN FRASER; BURNING FLAMES; WCK; MAC FINGALL; KING SHORT SHIRT; SWALLOW; DIANA KING; NIGEL LEWIS; MERCILESS & THE BURNING FLAMES.

The Festival had taken on a special significance with the presentation of the SWEET CRY FREEDOM AWARD. This award is dedicated to the memory of one of our past heroes whose life exemplifies the true meaning of freedom. In 1997, the award was dedicated to the memory of the Honorable Marcus Massiah Garvey and the recipients were Stevie Wonder, Osibisa and Sir Vivian Richards who were personally on hand to receive their awards. In 1996, the award was dedicated to the memory of Dr. Martin Luther King and the recipients were Gordon "Butch" Stewart, Rt. Honorable Vere Cornwall Bird and Heather Samuel. In 1995, the award was dedicated to the memory of Robert Nestor Marley and the recipients were Third World, David Rudder and Peggy Quattro.

An integral part of the 1997 festival was the Celebrity Event, which included such well-known African-American celebrities as:- VIVICA FOX; KENYA MOORE (former Miss USA); CATHERINE BRADLEY (from the Price is Right); CHARLES SMITH (former NBA great) and RONNIE LAWS (renowned Jazz musician). Also taking part in the activities that included beach volley ball, jet skiing among other things was Stevie Wonder. The entire event was recorded and formed a part of a ½ hour television special that was shown on BET to an audience in excess of 20 million viewers.

After a hiatus of 10 years, SCF returned in 2007 and once again brought to the concert stage in Antigua another star-studded line-up of the regions top international artists to include:- CHAM, MACKA DIAMOND, FREDDIE MACGREGOR, BARRINGTON LEVY, SHERWIN WINCHESTER & TRAFFIK and KING SWALLOW. The SWEET CRY FREEDOM AWARD that year was awarded to Professor Hilary Beckles, the esteemed Caribbean historian and Vice - Chancellor of UWI.