The culture ministry, through the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission (JCDC) and Wray & Nephew White Overproof Rum, will host the Reggae Gold Awards and Jamaica Music Museum Induction at the National Indoor Sports Centre in Kingston today, February 29, the final day of Reggae Month.

The Reggae Gold Awards were developed in 2019 to serve as a platform to preserve and promote reggae’s cultural heritage. The awards, since its inception, have set its aim squarely on being a unifying platform for industry players to celebrate their achievements and feel valued.

The 2024 edition of the awards ceremony will unveil inductees to be named to the Jamaica Music Museum. Created to be a well-deserved Hall of Fame for the greatest members of the industry, the museum celebrates their contributions to the music.  

Lenford Salmon, executive director of JCDC, said: “Without these awardees, Jamaican music, in general, and Reggae Music would have been the poorer. They are, collectively, the originators and standard bearers of Reggae Music and have appeared along the continuum of the form as exponents who have established and promoted new musical interpretations or methods of musical expression.” 

To be eligible for induction, industry professionals must demonstrate unquestionable musical excellence and talent. The ceremony will welcome 20 honourees and 12 Reggae Gold awardees. The inductees will include performers, composers, producers, institutions and musicians who have had a significant impact on the development, evolution and preservation of Jamaican music. 

Pavel Smith, marketing manager at Wray & Nephew White Overproof Rum, said: “At Wray & Nephew we know what it means to celebrate. The Reggae Gold Awards presents a most appropriate opportunity for the highest cultural appreciation. It is also a moment for us to jointly articulate a big thank you to those who have crafted legacy leaving careers that champion Jamaican culture. As the awards prepare to admit its first honourees into the Jamaica Music Museum, it is with great pride that we join as celebration partner to honour Jamaican musical icons.”

Starting at 7p.m., fans can witness history and be thrilled by guest performances by Third World, Lutan Fyah, Jesse Royal, Etana, Nikki Burt, Janeel Mills, & Adena Myrie will be doing a I-Threes tribute as a group, Kevoy Clarke and Chilean singer, Quique Neira.