Declaring himself the ‘baddest and busiest’ emcee in the dancehall industry, Nuffy is still basking in the honour of his first international award.

MC Nuffy was recently awarded MC of the Year by Bellyful Restaurant and Bar in New York at their Calendar Release & Award Gala.

The controversial industry host told OBSERVER ONLINE that while he has grown accustomed to being awarded, his most recent accolade came as a complete surprise.

“This is not my first award, in fact, I have been named Emcee of the Year four times by Stone Love and two times by STING, so I’m not new to this,” he said. “What shocked me was that I got this award when nothing never did a happen inna di industry fi two years. Memba say my work come through bookings, and bookings come when show a keep and because of COVID, nothing never really did a gwaan.”

The entertainer, who is now mostly based in the United States, said he believes his latest award came from him remaining active on the international scene.

“When the entertainment industry did completely lockdown a Jamaica, things still did a keep a foreign and when anybody inna the States have dem event, a one man dem call and that is Nuffy-Don,” he said, boasting that he has more than two decades of hosting experience under his belt.

“Mi know how to keep people entertained. I know to keep my name alive and remain relevant. A more than 20 years now me a do this and I am still one of the most relevant persons in the emcee business.”

“Me always keep it moving and me never out of work yet. People always a call me fi bookings, all when the crowd a say me too mixup or whatever,” he continued.

Nuffy, whose given name is Andrew Nelson, stated that despite the negativity spewed at him over the years for being too consumed with the controversial elements of the business, he wouldn’t change a thing.

“I am who I am, and at the end of the day, mix up and controversy is part of my job. That comes naturally as part of the entertainment package. Meaning, I have to stay in that arena to keep up,” he said.

He added: “Remember you have new people coming in this game and when the new people come, they’re coming with new stuff and so you have to prove to these new folks that they’re not gonna come and get you out. So I have to keep my ears to the ground and stay in the things that will keep me in the game.”

Describing entertainment as the ‘soul of Jamaica’, Nuffy says he is looking forward to doing what he loves best in abundance on local soil – especially since the entertainment sector has been reopened.

“The time is now for MC Nuffy. Dem ago tired fi see me face because a now the bookings tun up. Jamaica, I am looking forward to seeing a lot more of you as I get ready to touch every stage unu want me pon.”