Longtime Irie Jam Radio personality recognized for decades of service to Jamaican music, culture and the diaspora
Veteran broadcaster, DJ and sound system stalwart Roy A. Walters, professionally known as DJ Roy, will receive Jamaica’s Badge of Honour on Monday, October 19, 2026, during the nation’s annual National Heroes Day celebrations.
The national recognition marks a major milestone for DJ Roy, whose more than three decades in broadcasting and entertainment have been devoted to promoting Jamaican music, championing Caribbean culture and strengthening the connection between Jamaica and its global diaspora.
The Badge of Honour is an official Jamaican state award recognizing distinguished and loyal service to the nation. For DJ Roy, the honour acknowledges a career that has reached far beyond the radio studio, encompassing music, sound system culture, community service and the international promotion of Brand Jamaica.
Born in London and raised in Jamaica, DJ Roy has become one of the most enduring personalities in Caribbean broadcasting. His deep knowledge of Jamaican music, distinctive on-air style and ability to connect with audiences have made him an influential champion of both established stars and emerging talent.
DJ Roy is also a co-founding member of New York City’s award-winning Road International sound system, helping to carry Jamaica’s sound system tradition to audiences throughout the diaspora. Road International notably became the first sound system/DJ to secure a major endorsement with telecommunications company Digicel, underscoring the growing commercial and cultural influence of Jamaican sound system culture.
His broadcasting journey began at Medgar Evers College Radio, 97.5 FM, where he initially voiced commercials for local businesses. His personality and natural presence behind the microphone soon led to his own program and the beginning of a broadcasting career that would span multiple platforms.
DJ Roy later added The Caribbean Blend, The VP Records Showcase on 105.9 FM, WLIB 1190 AM, Sirius Satellite Radio and WSBU 98.5 FM in Atlanta to his broadcasting résumé.
For more than two decades, he has served as a senior broadcaster at Irie Jam Radio, where his voice has become synonymous with Caribbean radio in the New York metropolitan area. His broadcasting reach has also extended to the FUBU/iHeartRadio platform, further expanding his connection with Caribbean audiences across the United States and beyond.
Throughout his career, DJ Roy has interviewed entertainers, celebrities, athletes, community leaders and political figures. One of his most memorable assignments came in 2008, when he conducted an on-field interview with Jamaican sprint legend Usain Bolt surrounding Bolt’s historic 100-meter world-record performance at the Adidas Grand Prix in New York.
But DJ Roy’s impact has never been confined to entertainment.
Over the years, he has consistently leveraged his platform to support education, youth development and community initiatives in Jamaica and New York. His fundraising efforts have benefited numerous Jamaican schools and institutions, including Edwin Allen High School, Calabar High School, Excelsior High School, Ardenne High School, St. Elizabeth Technical High School, Vere Technical High School, Dinthill Technical High School, Sam Sharpe Teachers’ College and Kingston College, among others.
In New York, he has supported back-to-school initiatives, toy drives and other community programs benefiting Caribbean families and young people, reinforcing his longstanding belief that broadcasting should serve not only as entertainment but also as a vehicle for community upliftment.
DJ Roy’s work has earned him numerous awards, citations and proclamations. His accolades include an IRAWMA Award of Appreciation recognizing Road International; Street Hype Newspaper’s Radio Personality of the Year; the Glam Sense Award for outstanding service in radio and entertainment; a Linkage Award for outstanding achievement on Irie Jam Radio; Tamika Reggae Awards for Radio Personality of the Year and DJ of the Year; and a Nassau County, New York citation recognizing his contributions to the cultural arts community.
He has also been recognized by Irish & Chin for his contribution and dedication to expanding the global visibility of the World Clash series and the organization’s events.
The Badge of Honour now stands among the most significant recognitions of DJ Roy’s career — an acknowledgement from Jamaica of a life spent ensuring that the country’s music, culture and identity remain vibrant and visible across borders.
For more than 30 years, DJ Roy has embodied the vital role Caribbean broadcasters and sound system DJs play as cultural ambassadors. Through radio, music and community engagement, he has helped introduce new artists to wider audiences, preserve Jamaican musical traditions and maintain a cultural bridge for generations of Jamaicans living abroad.
On National Heroes Day, Monday, October 19, 2026, DJ Roy will officially receive the Badge of Honour in Jamaica, adding a national distinction to a career defined by service to Jamaican music, culture and community.
