The irie reggae vibes on the sandy Salento coast beach of Lido San Basilio (San Foca) in the province of Lecce located in the Puglia region of southeastern Italy rival those found in the Jamaican dancehall today. With “Free Music for Free People” as its motto, Mamanera Beach has been a favorite spot for reggae artists and fans alike. Montego Bay-born reggae dancehall diva Tenza told Jamaica Observer that Salento was legit and said: “The way they embraced the music and the Jamaican culture was absolutely amazing and memorable. They came out in numbers. The atmosphere was like being back in Jamaica, where every night was another party and people just rave non-stop to dancehall and reggae music even if it’s raining.”

The 2015 Mamanera Reggae Boom Beach summer lineup is as follows: July 25–I-Shence (Perugia); August 1–Villada Posse (Rome); August 8–Black Chiney (Miami); August 10–Mr. Vegas (Jamaica); August 12–Johnny Osbourne (Jamaica)/Soul Stereo (France); August 13–Heavy Hammer Sound 16th Anniversary Party with Killamanjaro Sound (Jamaica); August 15–Sound Clash between Sentinel Sound (Germany) and Coppershot Sound (Jamaica); August 17–Mananera Revolution; August 20–Original Salento Dancehall: No-Tap! with Mamanera All-Stars. www.Mamanera.com

Established in 1999 in on the outskirts of Lecce in Salento–otherwise known as “the Italian Jamaica”–Heavy Hammer is the resident sound crew on the world-famous Mamanera Beach every summer alongside some of best entertainers in the business. Initially four friends who shared a common love for reggae dancehall music, sound systems, Jamaican culture and partying all night on the beach, Heavy Hammer has grown to become a family of seven–including Raffa, Gecky, Gigi, Quasta, Lep, Boris and Charly. Learn more about Heavy Hammer, the promoters of the annual Mamanera Reggae Boom Beach at www.HeavyHammer.it