JaRIA Honour Awards an ‘impressive showcase’
Published:Wednesday | April 20, 2022 | 12:06 AMStephanie Lyew/Gleaner Writer
The 2022 Jamaica Reggae Industry Association (JaRIA) Honour Awards went off with minimal hitches. After a late start, the host for the evening, media communications specialist Roxene Nickle, jumped quickly into the programme much to the satisfaction of the guests and organisation’s board members.
Marketing Director of JaRIA June Isaacs lauded the production of the virtual ceremony in which over 30 individuals received awards for their contribution to the reggae industry. Noting her call for more support of the reggae award show last week, she said the response and number of viewers were a welcomed response.
“I am very pleased and the feedback that I an getting from the public is that it’s the best to date,” Isaacs said. “It’s getting better and better ... educational, entertaining and the music and musicians gave world-class performances. VM has partnered with us and we will be having other forums throughout the year as we work towards educating and helping our members.”
She also said that while her fellow JaRIA board members, who are still basking in the success of the 2022 staging, have not put any ideas forward for next year in terms of fleshing out plans, “we definitely know we will return live with a high-class show”.
The award ceremony which over the years boasts having a variety of awards and awardees continued in a similar vein, honouring the contributions of musicians, songwriters, engineers, bands as well as media that have contributed to the exposure of Jamaica, as the mecca for reggae music and creativity.
Last Sunday’s virtual broadcast, while remaining “a big night” for reggae creatives, also functioned as an impressive showcase of young talent, said two-time JaRIA Honour Awardee Michael ‘Mikie’ Bennett. He was the recipient of the Extraordinary Impact on the Reggae Industry award for mentorship in 2017, and the JaRIA Honour Award for his exceptional contribution to the reggae industry as a songwriter at the 2022 staging. He said that while he was honoured to be named among the greats, he was in tune to the performances “as the roster of talented young people was really good”.
“Most things virtual will have its hiccups but I got goosebumps to hear the medley of songs I would have contributed to and also to see the youths performing,” he said. “I was really fascinated with Irie Kreshna’s tribute to Barrington Levy with his performance of Too Experienced.”
Other emerging artistes who stole the spotlight, including Knixx Taylor, doing her rendition of JC Lodge hits Someone Loves You Honey and Telephone Love, and Jah Lil performing the tribute to Hopeton Lewis. Nickette Lewis, Hector Lewis, Everol ‘Stringwray’ Wray and Dean Fraser also presented musical tributes to awardees Glacia Robinson, The Abyssinians, David Madden and Hux Brown, respectively.
In celebration of Jamaica’s 60th, three cultural pioneers were selected to receive Diamond Jubilee Awards: reggae icon Bob Marley, National Hero Marcus Garvey and poet and folklorist Louise ‘Miss Lou’ Bennett-Coverley. Following the distribution of the awards, a tribute performance was done of Marley’s No More Trouble and selected writings from Marcus Garvey presented by Stephen Golding, and of Miss Lou, done by Deon Silvera.
Veteran reggae musician and educator Ibo Cooper did an amazing job with the musical arrangements and in conducting The JaRIA JamRock Band Orchestra, which supported most of the performers.
Two of the Jamaica’s fast-rising acts of this generation of reggae music also earning a lot of the applause at the end of the night were Joby Jay and Yaksta. Joby Jay, real name Jo Benee Morris, who is the artiste’s representative on JaRIA’s board, was voted by the public as Breakthrough Artiste of the Year Meanwhile, Yaksta’s hit single Ambition earned the Song of the Year title.
“Wow,” was all Joby Jay could keep repeating as she collected the award as well as a $50,000 gift certificate for a Unit Trust Portfolio presented to her by VM Wealth Management. The Big Girl Ting singer-songwriter expressed gratitude to her manager, supporters and also said she “would not be able to stand in my purpose” without God’s guidance before exiting the stage. She has chosen to take any criticisms of her winning the award with a grain of salt, said a member of her team.