Joseph Hill shows off his citation awarded by the promoters of Culture Shock, Stone Face Promotions on Tuesday. (Photo: Joseph Wellington)

The Joseph Hill-led group Culture was honoured by the promoters of Culture Shock, Stone Face Promotions, on Tuesday at the official launch (Hilton Hotel) of this year's show titled Culture Shock - Reloaded.

According to general manager of Stone Face, Clayton Trench, the annual tribute is given to "a reggae artiste or group who is a cultural musical icon and must have raised the flag of Jamaican indigenous music across the world."

On receiving his award, a well-crafted, beautiful, solid bronze medal (whose mould was broken upon casting three medals only), and a citation, Hill remarked about his grandfather.
"This evening makes me realise the value of a grandparent. My grandfather reminded me that it is better to be a big man in a small house than a small man in a big house."

In addition to Joseph Hill, the other members of Culture - Albert Walker and Telford Nelson - were also honoured.
Guest speaker Professor Barry Chevannes commended Hill and Culture for staying true to their roots and culture and for promoting the positive side of Jamaica's music since the 1970s.

"There are very few artistes like Hill, who started on a mission of cultural awareness and has done so not only at home but everywhere he goes in the world. I'm happy that the promoters of this show found it fit to honour a man and a group that have made a positive difference to our music," Chevannes said.

This year's Culture Shock - Reloaded takes place at Addison Park, Brown's Town, St Ann, on Saturday, May 21, and features a number of cultural artistes including Mr Perfect, Chezidek, Luciano and the 'fireman' Capleton.

Trench mentioned Addison Park as the perfect place for the event, as "St Ann is the home of culture, Bob Marley, Marcus Garvey, and a number of people in the organisation are from Brown's Town."

At the prompting of master of ceremonies Amina Blackwood-Meeks and president of the Jamaica Federation of Musicians Desmond Young, those present at the launch observed 30 seconds of silence in remembrance of the students who died in a car accident at Innswood in St Catherine, Justin Hinds, guitarist Fahzel (musician for Mutabaruka), and Peter Cargill.

"Events like Culture Shock, hopefully, will raise the spirits," Young said. He went on further to praise the organisers and their production professionalism: "(Stone Face and) Trench can show by example to other promoters of events the importance of following procedures, for example with the Parish Council, JCAP licensing, Intellectual Property must be dealt with properly. Trench always produces above-board events. We wish the best and hope everybody has a good time," Young said.

Making artiste endorsements and appearances were Sister Althea, former member of the broken-up 4th Street Sister, who sang an original Nothing Is Impossible; E-Saw, who sang an excerpt of Can't Believe It, and the fireman himself - Capelton - who along with Culture Knox gave a taste of what is to come on May 21 at Addison Park.

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