Singer Despika Criticizes Poor Organization at Chetumal Reggae Fest

Chetumal, Mexico — The Chetumal Reggae Fest highlighted the city’s potential for high-level cultural events but also exposed significant organizational failures, with singer Despika publicly criticizing the festival’s management from the stage.

Despika emphasized that reggae is not just music for dancing and love but a genre historically used for protest and calling out injustices. She launched her complaint from this perspective, arguing that a festival of this magnitude cannot rely on rushed planning, improvisation, and a lack of consideration for its cultural impact at national and international levels.

One of the harshest criticisms targeted the near-total lack of promotion. Officials announced the event only a week in advance, preventing people from nearby cities like Cancún, Playa del Carmen, or Mérida from attending. The result was evident: a festival with the potential to be full had empty spaces that did not reflect the real interest in reggae.

The critique sharpened when discussing the treatment of artists. Some musicians received notification to perform with just two days’ notice, Despika reported. While talent is prepared, each show requires planning, rehearsal, and concept. Last-minute notices only limit the quality of the spectacle and minimize artistic work.

In this context, responsibility falls directly on the Institute of Culture and Arts of Quintana Roo, headed by Lilian Villanueva. The demand is for more respect for timing, creative processes, and the scale of a festival that could position Chetumal on the country’s cultural map but now faces setbacks due to hasty decisions.

Despika acknowledged that speaking up might close doors but made clear that staying silent only perpetuates mistakes. If this criticism helps future editions of the Reggae Fest organize with seriousness, vision, and respect, then it will have been worth it. Chetumal’s talent is ready; now institutions need to rise to the occasion.