Legendary reggae singer Marcia Griffiths is among five outstanding Jamaicans who will be conferred with the Order of Jamaica (OJ), the country’s fourth highest honor, for service to the nation in various fields.
The group leads the list of more than 120 persons who will be recognized at the 2023 National Honours and Awards Ceremony on Jamaica’s National Heroes Day, Monday, October 16.
Griffiths will receive the honor for her long-standing contribution to reggae music locally and internationally.
‘The Queen of Reggae’
Known as “the queen of reggae,” the 73-year-old singer was notably a member of the I-Threes, a trio of backing singers (along with Rita Marley and Judy Mowatt), who supported Bob Marley & the Wailers between 1974 and 1981.
Her singing career, however, began a decade earlier in the 1960s, working with artists such as Tony Gregory (“You’re Mine”), Bob Marley (“Oh My Darling”), Jeff Dixon (“Words”), and Bob Andy (“Always Together”). In 1968, she had her first success as a solo artist, with “Feel Like Jumping.” From 1970 to 1974, she worked together with Bob Andy as a duo (Bob and Marcia).
After her stint with the I-Threes following Marley’s death in 1981, Marcia Griffiths continued to record as a solo artist.
In 1983, she released her re-recording of the Bunny Wailer song “Electric Boogie,” originally recorded and released by Wailer in 1976.
Although the 1983 version became a minor hit for Griffiths, the song was remixed in 1989, and it was this version that made the Electric Slide, a line dance, an international dance craze. The song reached number 51 on the US Billboard Hot 100, making it her most successful single. It is currently the highest-selling single by a female reggae singer of all time.
Read: The Empress of Reggae Music Marcia Griffiths
In 2014, Griffiths received the Jamaican Order of Distinction (Commander class).
Other OJ recipients
The other four OJ recipients are Anglican Archbishop of the West Indies, His Grace, the Most Rev. Dr. Howard Gregory for service to religion; Audley Shaw CD, MP, for sterling contribution to political administration in Jamaica; Charles Henry Johnston, CD, for outstanding contribution to Jamaica’s shipping and logistics industry, and Paul Barnaby Scott, CD for exceptional contribution to the business industry, investment and philanthropy in Jamaica and the Caribbean.
Victor Lowe, a native of Jamaica who resides in the United States, is among 27 persons who will be conferred with the Order of Distinction (in the rank of Commander (CD).
Another 36 persons will receive the Order of Distinction in the Rank of Officer (OD); two civilians will receive the Badge of Honour for Gallantry (BH(G)); 28 will be conferred with the Badge of Honour for Meritorious Service (BH(M)); and 29 will receive the Badge of Honour for Long and Faithful Service.
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