Virgin Islands international dancehall artist Monéa is denying reports that she doesn’t want to perform in her hometown after her name was omitted from this year’s Tortola Festival lineup. Photo: Facebook

The 72nd Virgin Islands Emancipation Festival in Tortola takes place from July 25 to August 8, 2026, at the Road Town Festival Village. Photo: Facebook

In April 2025, Monéa, born Monea L. Richardson, became the first Virgin Islands' artiste to secure a nomination at the Caribbean Music Awards. Photo: BVITB/File

Monéa (born Monéa L. Richardson) is known for her “Tropikana” sound, a fusion of dancehall and pop, and is best known for female empowerment anthems and hits including “Inna Di World (Sniper) [Remix]” (feat. Dexta Daps), “Greenlight,” “Big Boss,” “Gypsy,” “Easy,” and “FLT” (feat. Zerimar).

In a Facebook Live video, Monéa said the omission stemmed from a misunderstanding about the kind of performance she intended to give. 

She told organisers earlier this year, in late January or early February, that she was on a music break and exploring a spiritual path.

No explicit songs

“Tortola Festival asked me earlier this year, and I said no, because during that time on my break, I didn’t even know if I was going to be doing music, period,” she said. “I was dedicating my life to Christ, so I was figuring out how I would show up in a new way, in a different way. Later in my journey, I decided that I would no longer sing super-explicit music anymore. 

Monéa, who in 2025 became the first VI artiste to receive a Caribbean Music Awards nomination, said she told festival organisers that she would perform but would avoid explicit songs. “I told them I would do the show, but I won’t be singing those super-explicit songs. I would sing ‘Big Boss,’ ‘Easy,’ and I have new music coming out that’s still my vibe. It would still be a great show,” she said. According to Monéa, organisers responded that those explicit songs were what people wanted and that they would discuss it and get back to her, but she never heard back.

Performer @ St John Festival 

She said, however, she was then approached by organisers of the St John Festival later, when her break had ended, and she accepted that booking. “Now, when I did St John, Tortola Festival approached me again, saying they felt some type of way; they thought I wouldn’t do this kind of performance. I never said what the performance would look like. I just said I wouldn’t sing a certain kind of music, which I didn’t do for St John,” she said. 

Monéa described her St John Festival set as a success despite leaving some of her biggest tracks off the bill. “It was a great show. I didn’t sing some of my big songs, but it was still an amazing show,” she said, noting the risks she took with showing up in a new way.

Blamed her explanation

She acknowledged that explaining what she would and would not perform may have created room for assumptions with organisers of the Emancipation Festival. 

“Where I went wrong is even explaining what I wouldn’t or would sing in my set for the Tortola show. I should have never said anything because that left room for them to assume what my set would be like,” she said. “But regardless, I honestly feel I’m from home. I have a track record of great performances in Tortola. I don’t see why that would be any type of issue.” 

'This year, I wanted to perform'

Monéa says Tortola organisers told her they were unsure how to sell the show after she turned to Christianity and altered her repertoire. 

She accepted that the festival’s budget and planning timelines may have played a role in not booking her this year, but said she found it strange that new artists were still being announced for the lineup.

“It’s not that I don’t want to perform at home. This year, I actually did want to do it. A few years ago, I turned it down a couple of times, but this year I actually did want to do it,” she said.

Stereotypes attached to Christians

Reflecting on the episode, Monéa said her biggest takeaway is the stereotype people attach to Christians. “This is about a personal relationship with Christ, and I am being worked on. I’m not going to go from one thing completely to the next thing immediately. I’m trusting my sanctification process. I’m following my personal convictions and doing what I believe is right in the moment, and that could change tomorrow, next week, next year. It could change again, but I am trusting and giving myself grace,” she said.

The 72nd Virgin Islands Emancipation Festival on Tortola takes place from July 25 to August 8, 2026, at the Festival Village in Road Town. The massive entertainment lineup features a blend of reggae, soca, and dancehall, with confirmed acts including Beres Hammond, Popcaan, Sizzla, Patrice Roberts, Nadia Batson, R. City, 450, and Problem Child.