For someone who wrote or co-wrote some of the biggest hit songs in contemporary reggae, Hopeton Lindo keeps a low profile. The unheralded singer-songwriter got his due on November 8, when the Jamaica Reggae Industry Association (JaRIA) honoured him.

The event took place at Tuff Gong International Studio in Kingston. Forty-two people and organisations were honoured.

Lindo was recognised by the JaRIA committee for Outstanding Contribution (Songwriter). His prolific writing helped make songs like Mr Loverman by Shabba Ranks, Telephone Love by J C Lodge, I Wanna be Loved by Buju Banton and Can You by Brian and Tony Gold chart-riders.

That skill earned him the nickname, “The Pen”.

Havajoy Fisher (left) and Karen Webber representing Hopeton Lindo, with Dean Fraser at the Jamaica Reggae Industry Association Awards at Tuff Gong International Studio in Kingston on November 8. Lindo was recognised for his outstanding contribution as a songwriter.

Lindo did not attend the ceremony but expressed appreciation for the JaRIA gesture.

“They call me The Pen. And the pen has been kind. But ink must serve the people. So I write for justice, for relief and for every Jamaican far from home,” he said. “I am Jamaica. Thank you JaRIA, for this honour award, and for acknowledging the work of The Pen.”

Many of the songs Lindo wrote came while he was based at producer Gussie Clarke’s studio in Kingston during the late 1980s and early 1990s. Other songwriters there were Mikey Bennett and Carlton Hines.

In an interview with Observer Online, Hines paid tribute to Lindo.

“I think Hopeton is a natural songwriter. He writes according to his vibes,” he said.

Lindo is from the Kencot community in Kingston. As a sound system performer during the 1980s, he worked alongside future stars such as Tiger and Anthony Malvo.

Late that decade, he scored his biggest hit as an artiste with the self-produced Territory. That song was used by Jamaica’s Reggae Boyz football team for home matches during their historic 1998 World Cup campaign.

The JaRIA Awards main categories included Song of the Year which went to Brighter Days Interlude by Chris Malachi, who was also selected Breakthrough Artiste of the Year.

New Day by gospel singer Cario Young won Reggae Album of the Year. He and Canute Ellis shared the Reggae Producer of the Year award for that project.

Popcaan’s Nothing Without God took Dancehall Album of the Year. Vybz Kartel and TJ Records copped the Dancehall Producer of the Year Award for God And Time.