The Government of Jamaica paid tribute to the legends who have contributed to the growth and development of reggae music at the annual Reggae Gold Awards.

The function, held inside the National Arena in Kingston on Friday, February 27, culminated activities for Reggae Month.

Heading the list of honourees was veteran singer Ken Boothe, who was inducted into the Jamaica Music Museum Hall of Fame.

The 77-year-old Boothe was recognised for his contribution to rocksteady and the global growth of reggae.

Rising in the 1960s, he became a defining figure of the rocksteady era that helped shape the foundation of modern Jamaican music. Among his most outstanding achievements is his success on the international stage.

In 1974, he reached number one on the United Kingdom (UK) singles chart with his rendition of Everything I Own, becoming one of the first Jamaican artistes to top the British charts. The song’s global success marked a pivotal moment in Reggae history and opened doors for Jamaican music worldwide.

“Thank you so much. This is a prestigious award for me,” Boothe said after being presented with the official citation by Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport Olivia Grange.

He then treated the audience to a medley of his hit songs like The Train Is Coming and Puppet On A String.

Grange, who was joined on stage by singer Marcia Griffiths, said it was an honour to induct Boothe. “I must tell all of you, Ken Boothe, Marcia Griffiths, and myself are from West Kingston, and we feel so proud to be here to be with Ken,” she said.

Founding member of Fab 5 band, Franklyn ‘Frankie’ Campbell, who has been a driving force for popular music for over five decades, was presented with the Lifetime Achievement Award.

Patrick ‘Tony Rebel’ Barrett received the Wray & Nephew Cultural Impact Award for his contribution to the conscious Reggae revival movement.

Other award recipients on the night were music producers, Desmond ‘Desi-Roots’ Young and Hugh ‘Redman’ James; broadcaster at the former Jamaica Broadcast Corporation (JBC), Elaine Wint; broadcaster, Winston Barnes; musical director, Institute of Jamaica (IOJ), Herbie Miller; guitarist, Steve ‘Stevie G’ Golding;  producer, song writer and mentor, Michael ‘Mickie’ Bennett; veteran music producers, Delroy ‘Phatta’ Pottinger and Collin ‘Bulby’ York; veteran reggae/dancehall artiste, Noel ‘Echo Minott’ Phillips; producer/artiste, Triston Palma; dancehall artiste John ‘Little John’ McMorris; pioneering deejay, Anthony ‘Lone Ranger’ Waldron; reggae artiste, Lester ‘Dillinger’ Bullock; and singer, Norman ‘Pinchers’ Thompson.  

The evening also featured musical tributes from Etana, Richie Stephens, Romain Virgo, Marcia Griffiths, L.U.S.T, and Chris Malachi, with the KAWA Reggae Band from China bringing the international flavour.

The Reggae Gold Awards were first awarded in 2019, and over the years, a steady stream of the music’s best has been duly recognised.

The awards ceremony stands as a symbol of gratitude for the pioneers who set the trend, the veterans who lit the way, and the new generation for expanding the reach of Jamaican music across continents.