Gyptian humbled by Jamaica Heritage Award

Rexton ‘Shabba Ranks’ Gordon and Windell ‘Gyptian’ Edwards were earlier this year named as the recipients of the Jamaica Heritage Award from the consul general in New York. At a ceremony last Friday, held at the consulate in Manhattan, a nattily attired Gyptian and Gramps Morgan, who stood in for Shabba Ranks, were present to collect the awards.

The Consul General Heritage Awards, which was launched in 2013 by former Consul General Herman Lamont, “seeks to recognise and honour the work of individuals whose efforts and sacrifices have helped to better the lives of Jamaican nationals and the development of the nation through various fields and careers”.

This year, Consul General Alison Roach Wilson unveiled a new category of recognition, honouring the contributions of Jamaican musicians in the genre of reggae. Shabba Ranks and Gyptian were the two musicians among a total of 12 awardees.

“Our awardees have distinguished themselves as beacons of hope during some of our most difficult times, including through the ongoing pandemic,” Roach Wilson said during last Friday’s presentation.

For Gyptian, it was a momentous occasion, and the Rastafarian artiste represented well.

“I am grateful and truly humbled to be recognised by the consul general, Mrs Alison Wilson, in New York. To her, I would like to say, Thank you for recognising my philanthropic efforts, even though I give quietly without fanfare. It has always been my mandate to help the less fortunate. Giving back, to me, has always been important as I, too, grew up less fortunate,” said Gyptian, whose style of tying his shirt around his head and twisting his chin hair earned him the nickname ‘Egyptian’.

The Serious Times singer was full of gratitude to his team and, once he took the podium, he spent time doing ‘big-ups’.

“Big up VP, long time yuh know dem miles ahead in reggae, the whole staff, the whole team, all the consular officers, big up the consular same way. Gramps, big up yuhself same way. Shabba inna di house? Big up all the greats,” he shouted, after which he gave his acceptance speech.

Clips from the event were carried by Fox 5, New York.

In concluding his brief interview with The Gleaner, Gyptian stated, “This award is not just for me; it is also for my team as well because, without them, it wouldn’t be possible. Special thanks to team VP Records, especially Michelle Williams and my manager Tameka Reynolds. Nuff respect!” he said.

Gyptian’s bio on VP Records website speaks about the two sides of the artiste, “the conscious reggae singer with the breakthrough 2005 hit Serious Times and the champion lover who captivated females worldwide with his crooning on Hold You, the sultry island pop smash that topped charts globally in 2010”. Hold You was certified Gold in the United States by the RIAA, after achieving sales of 500,000, and certified Platinum in the United Kingdom by the BPI, after achieving sales of 600,000. Rap superstar Nicki Minaj also jumped on the remix.

Born Windel Beneto Edwards in rural St Andrew, Gyptian grew up singing in church with his Adventist mother by day and at dancehall sessions organised by his Rastafarian father by night. He entered the music business after meeting up with talent scout and promoter Ravin Wong and Earl ‘Chinna’ Smith, the legendary reggae guitarist known for his work with Lee ‘Scratch’ Perry and Bob Marley. Under Smith’s guidance, Gyptian wrote Serious Times.

Over the years, he has collected various awards, including Most Promising Entertainer at the International Reggae and World Music Awards in New York City, an MOBO award for Best Reggae Act, and a Soul Train Music Award for Best Reggae Artiste.

yasmine.peru@gleanerjm.com