Choreographer Orville Corridor expresses appreciation for being recognised for his contribution to bop.karl mclarty
Reggae Month 2025 got here to an excellent climax on Friday with the staging of the acclaimed Reggae Gold Awards recognising music practitioners whose spectacular physique of labor has helped to form the trade.
Held inside Nationwide Indoor Sports activities Centre, explicit honours had been rendered to the legacies of Maxi Priest, Ken Boothe, Marcia Griffiths, and the late Garnett Silk.
The night time was punctuated with pleasure and laughter, blended with tears and appreciation as honorees poured their hearts out.
The viewers rose to its ft as Ken Boothe, now blinded by Parkinson’s illness, wept brazenly upon receiving his honour. The singer, in response, placed on a efficiency of a few of his best hits, amongst them Starlight and Every part I Personal. He acquired a standing ovation for his strong vocals belying is aged appearances.
Choreographer Orville Corridor, who devoted his award to his late father, thanked the Ministry of Leisure and Tradition for recognising his work. As he described it, the award would ship a sign to youth that dance is extra than simply an extra-curricular exercise.
“This one is for my father. I misplaced him three years in the past and he was the unique Dancie — that was his nickname. Dance has taken me to 41 international locations educating not working or dancing with artistes. I now have a dancehall course that has two accreditations; one from HEART and one from Metropolis & Guilds,” he mentioned in his acceptance speech.
Recording artiste Decide, finest identified for his 1995 hit single Kette Drum with Beenie Man, was posthumously honoured. Decide died on February 13. His daughter, Akilah Bennett, accepted the award.
Many-time Pageant Music competitors winner Roy Rayon, Richie Spice, Linval Thompson, Errol Dunkley, Buju Banton, Beverley Kelso, and Junior Byles had been among the many night time’s different particular honorees.
Apart from the award shows, Friday’s occasion additionally included highly effective performances. The night time opened with a vibrant dance quantity from the mixed forces of Dance Theater Xaymaca and Wolmer’s Dance Troupe. Singer Jamila Falak thrilled the gang with easy vocals rendering a melodic model of JC Lodge’s Somebody Loves You whereas taking part in the cello. Tammi T, a widely known backup singer, stepped into the foreground and served up some highly effective vocals as she carried out a medley of classics together with Sister Nancy’s Bam Bam, Chaka Demus and Pliers’ Homicide She Wrote, and Barrington Levy’s Right here I Come.
However the night time belonged to particular honoree Marcia Griffiths. Having been bestowed the Reggae Gold Lifetime Achievement Award for her 60-year contribution to the music trade, she took followers on a nostalgic journey. Delivering one timeless hit after the opposite, Griffiths confirmed simply why she is the undisputed queen of reggae. Accompanied by her backing band and the Reggae Symphony Orchestra, the Dreamland singer served up songs corresponding to Really feel Like Leaping; Younger, Gifted and Black; Peaceable Girl; Stepping Out of Babylon; Fireplace Burning; and I Shall Sing.
Griffiths known as on Romain Virgo so as to add somewhat further to her set. Getting into the stage to thunderous applause, he carried out his hit single Mi Caan Sleep earlier than Griffiths joined him for a duet of Love On.
“Music is upliftment,” she mentioned as she entered a section which paid tribute to the late Reggae legend Bob Marley and her time as one third of his backing vocalists, the I-Three. Iron Lion Zion, Buffalo Soldier and Redemption Music had been among the many songs carried out.
In a particular presentation, Gramps Morgan was tasked with paying homage to Griffiths. Performing his widespread, Individuals Like You single, Morgan led the gang to its second standing ovation of the night time as attendees recognised Griffiths’s excellent music through the years. She was then introduced with a quotation by Prime Minister Andrew Holness and Minister of Leisure and Tradition Olivia Grange.
“I’m privileged to be within the presence of royalty. I consider it was Stevie Marvel who mentioned that you simply represented the soul of reggae music. And I consider Mick Jagger additionally mentioned that you’ve got one of many best voices in music, and so it’s certainly my distinct honour to have introduced you with this lifetime achievement award,” Holness mentioned. “Everybody right here and all of Jamaica agrees, you’re a nationwide icon, a legend. God bless you.”
The night ended with Griffiths performing her internationally acclaimed hit, Electrical Boogie.
Veteran crooner Ken Boothe on-stage with Minister of Leisure and Tradition Olivia Grange.
Icon Marcia Griffiths and Gramps Morgan rule the stage on Friday.
Prime Minister Andrew Holness (left) and Minister of Leisure and Tradition Olivia Grange share a second with recording artiste Nigy Boy.
Musicians Jah Screw, Johnny Clarke, Linval Thompson, Max Romeo, Black Beard show their honours after the 2025 Reggae Gold Awards on Friday.
Members of the viewers are transfixed on the performances. (Karl Mclarty)
Minister of Leisure and Tradition Olivia “Babsy” Grange appears on as artiste Maxi Priest reveals appreciation to the viewers on the Reggae Gold Awards on Friday. (Karl Mclarty)
Singer Errol Dunkley reveals appreciation for being honoured.
One of many opening performances on the Reggae Gold Awards stage.
Everlasting secretary within the Ministry of Schooling Dr Kasan Troupe presents an award to many-time Pageant Music competitors winner Roy Rayon.
Tammi T thrills the Reggae Gold Awards viewers on Friday.
