PATRICIA Chin who, along with her late husband Vincent Chin, founded VP Records was honoured at the American Association of Independent Music’s (A2IM’s) Libera Awards held at the Highline Ballroom in New York, on Thursday night.

Chin is the first female recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award at the Libera Awards, also referred to as the ‘Libbys’. The event is now in its fourth staging.

“After working 60 years in the business and being recognised is a great feeling,” she told the Jamaica Observer.

She shared her highlight of working in the industry.

“Just seeing the artistes develop and shine, that has been the highlight for me. Because it’s not easy for them to make that step, and when they do well, I feel good. I am a Jamaican and because I work with Jamaicans, I feel blessed when they do well,” she said.

Chin was gracious in her acceptance speech.

“I am honoured to be the first female to receive such a prestigious award. Words cannot truly convey my feelings. I’m so pleased to be recognised by the independent music community and A2IM, the reason being that, the spirit of independence has always been so deeply ingrained in my heart and thus, the heart of my business and life,” Chin told the packed ballroom.

Nominees for the Libbys are chosen and voted on by select members of the independent music industry. The award celebrates the successes of the independent music community, including the artistes who create the music and the labels that invest in those artistes.

Tommy Boy Records founder/CEO Tom Silverman; Seymour Stein, vice-president of Warner Brothers and co-founder of Sire Records (which steered the careers of acts including Madonna, the Pretenders, Blondie, the Ramones, and Talking Heads); Bruce Iglauer, founder of the Chicago-based independent blues label Alligator Records; and Martin Mills, founder of the Beggers Group (which includes labels XL Recordings, Matador Records and Rough Trade Records) were among the industry heavyweights who were in attendance at the ceremony.

Mills, Silverman and Iglauer are previous recipients of the Libera’s Lifetime Achievement Awards.

Chin recounted VP Record’s humble beginnings as well as the dedication and commitment that went into making the company an international brand. She also spoke about steering the careers of many of reggae and dancehall’s biggest acts to a standing ovation.

The Chins started selling used records in Kingston. They later formed Randy’s Record Mart in 1958. After relocating to the United States in the late 1970s, they set up VP Records, which was derived from the first letters in both partners’ names.

Vincent Chin died in 2003.

Chin’s children including Randy, Christopher, Angela, and grandchildren were in attendance.