Legendary dancehall artist Moses ‘Beenie Man’ Davis and Rodney ‘Bounty Killer’ Price are finally being awarded national honors as Jamaica celebrates its 62nd anniversary of Independence.
Both Davis and Price, long-time rivals turned friends, are being hailed for their contribution to the development of Jamaican music, specifically dancehall, and are to join the Order of Distinction in the Rank of Officer.
Last year King of the Dancehall, Beenie Man, expressed frustration over being overlooked for the Order of Jamaica (OJ) or the Order of Distinction (OD), honors given to fellow musicians like Shabba Ranks, Shaggy, Sean Paul, and Yellowman. On The Fix podcast, Beenie Man pointed out that despite his contributions to Jamaican music, he has only received a Prime Minister Award from PJ Patterson, facilitated by Patrick Roberts, and not the prestigious national honors he feels he deserves.
He mentioned that while other artists are celebrated, he is often the performer at such events, which he views as a sign of disrespect to his music and career. Beenie Man emphasized that he would prefer the higher-level Order of Jamaica over the Order of Distinction, asserting his significant impact on dancehall music.
During a Reggae Month event in 2023, Beenie Man publicly asked Culture Minister Olivia “Babsy” Grange when he would receive his national award, stating his preference for the OJ.
The Order of Jamaica is awarded to individuals who have made a significant impact on national life, with past recipients including Usain Bolt, Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, and Marcia Griffiths. Beenie Man remains adamant about his deserving recognition, citing his commitment to Jamaica by choosing to live in the country rather than abroad.
Among this other awardees this year is Hansle Parchment, who is currently on national duties at the Paris 2024 Olympics in France, being honoured with membership in the Order of Distinction in the Rank of Commander for his exceptional achievements in athletics at the World and Olympic levels.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Security Dr. Horace Chang and Leader of Government Business in the House of Representatives, Tourism Minister Edmund Bartlett, are among eight Jamaicans receiving membership in the Order of Jamaica, the nation’s fourth-highest national honour. They are being awarded for outstanding contributions to public service and politics, with Chang serving over 31 years in representational politics and 22 years as a government minister, and Bartlett 38 years and 21 years, respectively.
The category also includes Jamaica’s Ambassador to the United States Audrey Marks, Professor Wendel Abel, philanthropist and businessman Gary ‘Butch’ Hendrickson, businessman William Shagoury, Lyttleton ‘Tanny’ Shirley, and business executive Senator Don Wehby.
At the same time, 30 Jamaicans have been honoured with membership in the Order of Distinction in the Rank of Commander, including Supreme Court Justice David Batts for his contribution to the development of the judiciary and Police Commissioner Dr. Kevin Blake for outstanding service to national security and public safety. Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health & Wellness Dunstan Bryan, Caribbean Maritime University (CMU) President Professor Andrew Spencer, Commissioner of Customs Velma Ricketts Walker, and Reverend Gary Harriott are also among the awardees.
The late Daniel Dawes, former CEO of the Universal Service Fund, has been awarded posthumously with membership in the Order of Distinction in the Rank of Officer. Dawes, Constituency Development Fund head Kedesha Campbell Rochester, Maximising Velocity & Power Track & Field Club veteran coach Paul Francis, and Dr. Paul Wright are among 38 Jamaicans also awarded in that category.
Professor Randolph Henry and Jermaine Hurst are the only two Jamaicans awarded with the Badge of Honour for Gallantry this year. On September 11, 2019, Henry, while travelling along Red Hills Road in St. Andrew, saved the life of a man who had been shot multiple times by rendering assistance until the police and ambulance services arrived. Hurst, meanwhile, is reported to have demonstrated exceptional courage and compassion in preventing a potential victim from committing suicide.
