Reggae Month 2025 came to a superb climax on Friday with the staging of the acclaimed Reggae Gold Awards recognising music practitioners whose impressive body of work has helped to shape the industry.

Held inside National Indoor Sports Centre, particular honours were rendered to the legacies of Maxi Priest, Ken Boothe, Marcia Griffiths, and the late Garnett Silk.

The night was punctuated with joy and laughter, mixed with tears and appreciation as honorees poured their hearts out.

The audience rose to its feet as Ken Boothe, now blinded by Parkinson’s disease, wept openly upon receiving his honour. The singer, in response, put on a performance of some of his greatest hits, among them Starlight and Everything I Own. He received a standing ovation for his solid vocals belying is aged appearances.

Choreographer Orville Hall, who dedicated his award to his late father, thanked the Ministry of Entertainment and Culture for recognising his work. As he described it, the award would send a signal to youth that dance is more than just an extra-curricular activity.

“This one is for my father. I lost him three years ago and he was the original Dancie — that was his nickname. Dance has taken me to 41 countries teaching not working or dancing with artistes. I now have a dancehall course that has two accreditations; one from HEART and one from City & Guilds,” he said in his acceptance speech.

Recording artiste Determine, best known for his 1995 hit single Kette Drum with Beenie Man, was posthumously honoured. Determine died on February 13. His daughter, Akilah Bennett, accepted the award.

Many-time Festival Song competition winner Roy Rayon, Richie Spice, Linval Thompson, Errol Dunkley, Buju Banton, Beverley Kelso, and Junior Byles were among the night’s other special honorees.

Aside from the award presentations, Friday’s event also included powerful performances. The night opened with a vibrant dance number from the combined forces of Dance Theater Xaymaca and Wolmer’s Dance Troupe. Singer Jamila Falak thrilled the crowd with smooth vocals rendering a melodic version of JC Lodge’s Someone Loves You while playing the cello. Tammi T, a well-known backup singer, stepped into the foreground and served up some powerful vocals as she performed a medley of classics including Sister Nancy’s Bam Bam, Chaka Demus and Pliers’ Murder She Wrote, and Barrington Levy’s Here I Come.

But the night belonged to special honoree Marcia Griffiths. Having been bestowed the Reggae Gold Lifetime Achievement Award for her 60-year contribution to the music industry, she took fans on a nostalgic journey. Delivering one timeless hit after the other, Griffiths showed just why she is the undisputed queen of reggae. Accompanied by her backing band and the Reggae Symphony Orchestra, the Dreamland singer served up songs such as Feel Like Jumping; Young, Gifted and Black; Peaceful Woman; Stepping Out of Babylon; Fire Burning; and I Shall Sing.

Griffiths called on Romain Virgo to add a little extra to her set. Entering the stage to thunderous applause, he performed his hit single Mi Caan Sleep before Griffiths joined him for a duet of Love On.

“Music is upliftment,” she said as she entered a segment which paid tribute to the late Reggae legend Bob Marley and her time as one third of his backing vocalists, the I-Three. Iron Lion Zion, Buffalo Soldier and Redemption Song were among the songs performed.

In a special presentation, Gramps Morgan was tasked with paying homage to Griffiths. Performing his popular, People Like You single, Morgan led the crowd to its second standing ovation of the night as attendees recognised Griffiths’s outstanding music over the years. She was then presented with a citation by Prime Minister Andrew Holness and Minister of Entertainment and Culture Olivia Grange.

“I am privileged to be in the presence of royalty. I believe it was Stevie Wonder who said that you represented the soul of reggae music. And I believe Mick Jagger also said that you have one of the finest voices in music, and so it is indeed my distinct honour to have presented you with this lifetime achievement award,” Holness said. “Everyone here and all of Jamaica agrees, you are a national icon, a legend. God bless you.”

The evening ended with Griffiths performing her internationally acclaimed hit, Electric Boogie.

Veteran crooner Ken Boothe on-stage with Minister of Entertainment and Culture Olivia Grange.

Icon Marcia Griffiths and Gramps Morgan rule the stage on Friday.

Prime Minister Andrew Holness (left) and Minister of Entertainment and Culture Olivia Grange share a moment with recording artiste Nigy Boy.

Musicians Jah Screw, Johnny Clarke, Linval Thompson, Max Romeo, Black Beard display their honours after the 2025 Reggae Gold Awards on Friday.

Members of the audience are transfixed on the performances. (Karl Mclarty)

Minister of Entertainment and Culture Olivia “Babsy” Grange looks on as artiste Maxi Priest shows appreciation to the audience at the Reggae Gold Awards on Friday. (Karl Mclarty)

Singer Errol Dunkley shows appreciation for being honoured.

One of the opening performances on the Reggae Gold Awards stage.

Permanent secretary in the Ministry of Education Dr Kasan Troupe presents an award to many-time Festival Song competition winner Roy Rayon.

Tammi T thrills the Reggae Gold Awards audience on Friday.