CELEBRATED Jamaican reggae superstar Tony Rebel is set to make a debut performance in Zimbabwe at this year’s Shoko Festival.

Born Patrick George Anthony Barrett, Tony Rebel is one of the most celebrated reggae superstars who hogged the limelight in the late 80s.

Shoko Festival public relations manager Tafadzwa Sharaunga said the artist would perform at the Water Whirld main stage.

“The reggae star’s performance will be at Water Whirld on Friday September 20”, he said.

Tony Rebel is known for his roots-oriented dancehall style that carries social commentary. He is ranked in the same category with musicians such as Luciano, Beres Hammond and Garnett Silk.

“This style of reggae dancehall has inspired the current crop of new wave reggae artists. With a career spanning over a decade, he has over 10 albums to his discography and is a reggae legend,” said Sharaunga.

Tony Rebel is the host of the Jamaican annual reggae extravaganza Rebel Salute, a two-day cultural showcase which has attracted new age reggae artists such as Movado, I-Octane Stephen and Damien Marley.

The Rebel Salute aims to reclaim the moral high ground once occupied by Bob Marley and Peter Tosh by playing some of the most inspiring cultural music.

This year’s Shoko Festival will run from September 17 to 22 at various venues in Harare including Alliance Francaise and Book Café.

The six-day festival will feature more than 250 artists from three continents, among them Tumi Morake and Khuli Chani.