The third Reggae Icons Awards were held on February 24 in Miramar. It attracted a strong turnout to the Miramar Cultural Center.
This year’s theme was ‘Black History Meets Reggae’, as several stalwarts in reggae and the Jamaican Diaspora were recognized.
Reggae legend, Bob Marley, who died in Miami in 1981, was awarded the Jamaica 60th Legacy Award. This accolade was established to mark the 60th anniversary of Jamaica’s independence.
Marley’s wife, Rita, daughters Sharon and Cedella and grandson Skip, were present to accept the award.
Grammy-winning band Inner Circle and veteran broadcaster Clinton Lindsay received the Reggae Icon Award. Dale V.C. Holness, former Broward County commissioner and mayor, accepted the Marcus Garvey Award for tireless work in that region.
The Reggae Icon Awards are the brainchild of commissioner of Miramar Alexandra P. Davis. First held in 2019, it has honored several music industry giants including Pat Chin, co-founder of VP Records and reggae band, Third World.
The awards closed three days of activities that started with the 'Rumble in Miramar' sound clash. It was followed by the Afro Carib Festival at the Miramar Amphitheatre featuring Protoje, Afro B and Eix.
“We want to keep our culture alive outside of Jamaica, and having an entire month to celebrate reggae and Jamaica is a wonderful way to do it,” stated Davis. “It's important to have something locally that folk here in the Diaspora can participate and enjoy.”
Written By Howard Campbell
Lancelot Hall (left), Roger Lewis (third from left) and Bernard"Touter" Harvey of Inner Circle Band accepting the Icon Award at theFebruary 27 Reggae Icons Awards, held at Miramar Cultural Center. With themare Oliver Mair, Jamaica's Consul General to Miami, and Alexandra P.Davis, Commissioner of Miramar.