Kingston, 30 March 2022 – The Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, the Honourable Olivia Grange, has announced a public viewing of the remains of the late Reggae artiste Denroy Morgan on Friday, April 8, 2022 from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm at the National Indoor Sports Centre.

The Minister said members of the public attending the Centre to pay their respects to this “pioneer of Reggae music” would be required to wear masks, sanitise and observe physical distancing.

Minister Grange said the public viewing will be followed by “a series of tribute performances by members of the Entertainment fraternity.”

Minister Grange said:
“Though Denroy Morgan was a devout Rastafarian, he always advocated for unity between the lion and the lamb, with the lion representing the Rastafarian faith and the lamb representing the Christian faith. He had many Christians in his family and he was always respectful to them and their beliefs. As such the gathering at the National Indoor Sports Centre will be in keeping with his firm belief in peace and unity”.

On Saturday, April 9, 2022, family, friends and well-wishers will travel in a convoy from Perry’s Funeral Home in Spanish Town, St Catherine to Heritage Estate in St Thomas, for the interment.

The farewell activities in Jamaica follow a private Service of Thanksgiving in Atlanta, USA earlier this month.

Denroy Morgan had a successful solo career and commercial success in the 1980’s with the hit single ‘I’ll Do Anything for You’, which peaked at number nine on the American Soul Chart and led to him becoming the first Jamaican act to be signed by a major record label.

Morgan was also the father of Peter "Peetah" Morgan, Una Morgan, Roy "Gramps" Morgan, Nakhamyah "Lukes" Morgan and Memmalatel "Mr. Mojo" Morgan, members of the Grammy Award winning Reggae group Morgan Heritage. The musical trio of Noshayah Morgan, Otiyah "Laza" Morgan and Miriam Morgan are also members of L.M.S., a dancehall/hip-hop band.

“I wish to again, express my sincere condolences to Denroy’s family, friends and the entire entertainment fraternity for this tremendous loss,” Minister Grange said.

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Kingston, 30 March 2022 - The Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, the Honourable Olivia Grange, has condemned the killing of Donald ‘Tabby’ Shaw of the Mighty Diamonds who was gunned down in McKinley Crescent in the Waterhouse area of St. Andrew last night, March 29.

Minister Grange said:

“The news about Tabby’s death has left me in shock. I have had a special and close relationship with the Mighty Diamonds over the years. I feel the pain of the other two Diamonds, ‘Bunny’ and ‘Judge’, who I know will never get over the loss of Tabby. I pray for strength for them always.

“I recall when Tabby poured his soul into the Mighty Diamonds’ performance at Reggae Sunsplash in 1982. That live recording was actually made into an album. It was then you could tell that Tabby Shaw was a master vocalist.”

The group was nominated for a Grammy Award in 1983.

Donald Shaw, otherwise called Tabby, was lead vocalist for the Mighty Diamonds, a group which he formed in 1969 along with Fitzroy ‘Bunny’ Simpson and Lloyd ‘Judge’ Ferguson. All three were schoolmates who had previously named their group The Limelights.

The Mighty Diamonds were regarded for their smooth harmonies and known for their stage choreography. Their breakout hit was ‘Right Time’ in 1973. Other hits included ‘Girl You Are Too Young’, ‘Oh No Baby’ ‘Mash Up’, ‘Jah Bless the Dreadlocks’ and ‘Carefree Girl’.

The group also enjoyed great international success collaborating with famed producer, Gussie Clarke, on the hit, ‘Pass de Kutchie’. The song was later covered by the group Musical Youth in the United Kingdom under the name ‘Pass the Dutchie’.

Minister Grange said:
“Tabby’s killing is as senseless as it is tragic and leaves an awful void in the Jamaican music landscape.

I express my sincerest condolences to Tabby’s family members, relatives, friends and associates and to the entire entertainment fraternity.

May his soul rest in peace and Eternal Light shine upon him.”

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Kingston, 11 March 2022 – The Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, the Honourable Olivia Grange, has announced a covid-19 relief programme for registered small companies and umbrella organisations within the Entertainment, Culture and Creative Industries.

The Ministry will be offering grants to entities affected by covid-19.

“The grants will range from a million Jamaican dollars to 400-thousand Jamaican dollars,” said the Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, the Honourable Olivia Grange as she announced the opening of the applications portal on the Ministry’s website here.

Minister Grange said the size of grants to companies and organisations would depend on the entity and the size of the sector they serve.

“Within the sector you have large organisations such as JaRIA, JAVAA, and the Jamaica Federation of Musicians; and you have small business entities say in theatre, in dance, in film that will also be considered for grants.”

To be eligible for grants, companies and organisations must have been in operation prior to the covid-19 pandemic and be able to prove it using company registration documents, tax compliance certificate and event flyer.

The entities must also be signed up to the Ministry of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport's e-Registry; and must have an account (with any local bank) in Jamaican currency.

The deadline for application is Wednesday, March 17 at midnight.

Minister Grange said:
“It’s a small window… [and] I want to encourage those entities to apply now. We want to provide these funds to you for capacity building, capacity strengthening, and also to provide these small registered entities with funds to restart after the covid devastation…before the end of the financial year.”

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Kingston, 8 February 2022 – Reggae Month Echoes of Sound System clash blasts off with a not-to-be-missed Preliminary Round from Wednesday, February 9 to Saturday, February 12. 

The action starts at 9:00pm each evening on Reggae Month TV which is streamed on various online platforms, including the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission's YouTube and Facebook pages and the Facebook pages of the Ministry of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport and Minister Olivia Grange. The Series will also air on PBCJ each night at the same time.

Eight Sound Systems square off
Eight sound systems, including Ghetto Star, JamRock, Kush Int’l, King Rhino, Ruff Cutt, Nexxt Level, Yumi Hi-Power and Twin Star eagerly responded to social media and direct call-for-entries to battle for the coveted title of Reggae Month 2022 Champion Sound. The organisers then drew lots to determine the four clashes in the Preliminary Round.

They are as follows:
Nexxt Level vs Yumi Hi-Power
King Rhino vs Ruff Cutt; 
Ghetto Star vs JamRock 
Twin Star vs Kush Int’l

All the selectors are pumped up, super charged and ready to rumble, but at the end of the Preliminary Round, the number will be cut in half and only four sounds will be left standing. These four winning sounds will then move on to the Semi Final round and then the top two sounds will square off for bragging rights, the Reggae Month 2022 Champion Sound title, and prizes.

The winning sound will receive J$200,000; second prize J$100,000 and third prize J$50,000.

The official judging panel comprises Admiral Bailey, Skatta Burrell, Jack Scorpio and Rory (from Stone Love).

Reggae Month activities will engage audiences in the virtual space, with the month-long celebration being held under the theme ‘Come Ketch de Riddim’. Like last year’s celebration, it is expected to draw thousands of patrons to Jamaica from locations as far as Europe and Asia.

Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, the Honourable Olivia Grange, said that the virtual celebration will enable people to “get together and feel alright, even from a distance”, as Jamaica “builds back stronger to a brighter and dynamic future”.

Reggae Month is staged by the Ministry of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport in collaboration with production partners the Jamaica Reggae Industry Association (JaRIA), the Jamaica Association of Vintage Artistes and Affiliates (JAVAA) and funding partners including the CHASE Fund, the Tourism Enhancement Fund, the Jamaica Tourist Board and J Wray & Nephew.

Download the Reggae Jamaica Mobile App, free of charge from the Google or Apple Store, and get real time information on Reggae Month activities including the links to Reggae Month TV broadcasts.

Wake the town and tell the people… it’s Reggae Month 2022. Come ketch de riddim!

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Kingston, 29 January 2022 – The Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, the Honourable Olivia Grange, has announced that the public will be able to participate in the farewell to the late Reggae musician and record producer, Robbie Shakespeare of Sly and Robbie fame.

Minister Grange, who is handling the arrangements in collaboration with the Shakespeare family, said the public will be able to view the body of the late bassist on Sunday, February 6, 2022 at the National Indoor Sports Centre.

The body will be available for viewing from midday to 3pm.

Condolence books will also be opened at the Centre.

“We know that members of the public have been waiting for a chance to say goodbye to Robbie, who — along with Sly — has contributed so much to our music. As we are still operating under covid conditions, we cannot host a big event. But we think this an appropriate way to allow our people to express their appreciation for this talented musician while observing the necessary health and safety protocols,” said Minister Grange.

The funeral service and interment will be attended by close family and friends and will not be open to the general public. However, arrangements will be made for live streaming of the service on Monday, February 7, 2022 on social media and PBCJ.

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Kingston, 27 January 2022 – Reggae Month, now in its 15th year, will launch with a Church Service on Sunday, January 30, 2022 beginning at 10am.

In keeping with the current rules for religious gathering, mainly key Government Officials and Reggae Industry Stakeholders will be in attendance. The Chief congregants will include the Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, the Honourable Olivia Grange, and the Minister of Tourism, the Honourable Edmund Bartlett.

The service will be broadcast and streamed live on various platforms. It will feature performances by Alicia Taylor, John Mark Wiggon, and the Go for God Music Ministry.

Reggae Month 2022, which will be an official Jamaica 60 activity, will include a range of events in Jamaica and its Diaspora.

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Kingston, 4 January 2022 – The Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, the Honourable Olivia Grange, has paid tribute to the Chairman of the Council of the Institute of Jamaica, James Moss-Solomon.

Minister’s Statement

“We are deeply saddened at the passing of James Moss-Solomon, the Chairman of the Council of the Institute of Jamaica.

He was one of our great business leaders, and we recently appointed him to Chair the Council. Quickly, Jimmy started a process to make the IOJ more nimble and responsive to the people of Jamaica. The IOJ and the Ministry will miss his leadership, but we will continue the necessary transformational work that he started.

Jimmy was also a creative with extraordinary talent. He was an excellent bass guitarist and keyboard player and once led a band that included Dr. Aggrey Irons.

I join with all those who mourn the passing of this outstanding Jamaican today.

Let us keep his family in our thoughts and prayers at this time.”

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Kingston, 1 November 2021 – The Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, the Honourable Olivia Grange, said today that the Government is now in a position to re-admit spectators — albeit in a limited way — beginning with the World Cup Qualifier between Jamaica and the United States at the National Stadium on November 16.

Five thousand vaccinated spectators will be allowed to watch the game inside the National Stadium but will have to buy their tickets online. This they can do from Wednesday, November 3, 2021, via an Events Authorisation System app which is being introduced to facilitate the online purchase of tickets.

People wishing to purchase tickets will have to produce their vaccination cards and valid means of identification.

Minister Grange’s comments came at a news conference involving the Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, the Honourable Desmond McKenzie; and the Minister of Health and Wellness, the Honourable Dr Christopher Tufton, to announce plans for the World Cup Qualifier.

She said: “We are using this event to signal a significant change in how we will manage sporting events going forward.

“Last year June, we developed a road map, outlining the requirements and the process for resuming training and competition. Using that roadmap, we were able to safely host ISSA Boys and Girls Championships; development track and field meets; the National Senior and Junior Trials; the National Premier League; as well as the National Championships for table tennis, golf, tennis, chess, equestrian, squash, triathlon; swim meets at the National Aquatic Centre; the West Indies versus Pakistan cricket series; the Sunshine Netball Series; and two FIFA World Cup qualifiers.

“This required a whole of government approach, working with our various sport stakeholders.

“Working together, we have been able to host many sporting activities safely — without putting our athletes, our communities or our country at risk. I am proud that we are now in a position to take the next steps in our management of sports events during this era of covid 19.

“It will not only be a test for the Reggae Boyz, but for the entire nation as we move into the next phase in the management of covid 19.

“We want to ensure that all our sportspeople can return to competition; and we also want to ensure the fans can return to the match venues. But fans cannot return until we achieve a high level of vaccination across the country. Therefore, I use this opportunity to appeal to everyone — who has not yet done so — to get vaccinated.”

Minister McKenzie said all necessary measures will be in place at the National Stadium in accordance with the covid-19 protocols.

For his part, Health and Wellness Minister Tufton said, “we must show our appreciation to those who have got themselves vaccinated and let it be shown that those who are not vaccinated are at a disadvantage.”

He said: “The move to allow spectators into the National Stadium represents a giant step forward in normalising operations whilst covid-19 is still with us.”

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Kingston, 19 September 2021 – The Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, the Honourable Olivia Grange, has said that the Government intends to restore the boyhood home of the Reggae pioneer, Bunny Wailer, which was damaged by fire yesterday (Saturday).

The house, located on Second Street in Trench Town, St Andrew, had been declared a Protected Site by the Jamaica National Heritage Trust in 2018.

Bunny Wailer lived at the property with his father, sister, and step-mother, Cedella Booker (Bob Marley’s mother).

It was in Trench Town where Bob Marley and Bunny Wailer met Peter Tosh and became the Wailing Wailers.

Minister Grange said the two-storey house on Second Street “represents the space in which the creative genius of three Jamaican artistes put to music their sorrows, struggles, determination and messages of love, underpinned by Rastafari philosophy and the Reggae beat.”

Minister Grange said the Jamaica National Heritage Trust would soon commence an assessment of the damage to the structure towards restoration.

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Kingston, 11 September 2021 – The Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, the Honourable Olivia Grange, has issued the following statement at the passing of Jamaican singer, Karen Smith.

Minister’s Statement

“I am deeply saddened by the news of the passing of Karen Smith. A voice that reverberated among the cultural and entertainment icons is now muted and the silence echoes with her amazing personality, grace and love for her people.

Karen was one of the queens of stage performance. Whether she was performing at national or international events or in little country churches, she was always engaging, entertaining and charming.

In her performances and in her leadership role, Karen has left an indelible imprint on the culture, arts and entertainment landscape of Jamaica. She was an active contributor to the cause of industry development.

We will always remember Karen’s legendary voice, engaging personality, enduring warmth and her advocacy.

I offer sincerest condolences to her husband Jackie Jackson, daughter Courtni, mother Barbara, and other relatives and friends.

Jamaica’s quintessential songbird now sings in the choirs of New Jerusalem.

Walk good Karen into God’s eternal peace”.

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