Last week, three Caribbean Music icons were honoured at the Caribbean Music Awards in Brooklyn, New York.
The three were The Mighty Sparrow (Calypso), Alison Hinds (Soca) and Marcia Griffiths (Reggae).
Several awards also went in the competitive categories to popular Caribbean artistes in Soca, Bouyon, Reggae, and Dancehall.
Organisers singled out Sparrow, Hinds and Griffiths for contributing to Caribbean music and culture.
The Mighty Sparrow, who was born in Grenada but made Trinidad his home, was given a Lifetime Achievement Award for his incomparable contribution to Calypso.
Sparrow hailed as the king of Calypso, came on stage in a wheelchair and was later joined by Machel Montano for an impromptu a cappella verse of the song “Congo Man.”
The second awardee was Alison Hinds, who received the Elite Icon Award.
The Barbadian singer did not speak but had someone deliver her remarks.
“I’m happy to be a part of the fabric of our beautiful culture and that my contribution is being recognized with this wonderful award,” her statement said.
The third honoree, Marcia Griffiths, was described by presenter Shaggy, as; “a real reggae royalty…a woman whose voice has become a timeless symbol of love, chemistry, morals and values and the very essence of our Reggae music.”
Griffiths received a Lifetime Achievement Award.
“I feel a natural mystic blowing in the air can you feel it, it’s the positive energy of Caribbean people,” she said as she accepted.
The Jamaican singer, who started her career in 1964, said she was thankful that God had preserved her. She ended her acceptance speech by saying; “I shall sing as long as I live,” borrowing the hook from one of her classic hits.
Marcia Griffith was a member of the I-Threes, Bob Marley’s backup singers, but has had a solid solo career.
She scored several international hits including “Electric Boogie” first released in 1982.
Tosh Alexander, Aiesha, Alaine and Nadine Sutherland performed in tribute to Griffiths to bring the curtains down on the Caribbean Music Awards.
The Caribbean truly has World-class Talent. God Bless our Caribbean Artists.
Who kill the Sparrow nobody know…
I am expecting to hear him with gospel songs since he dedicated his life and have been born again…