Kingston, 12 February 2025 – The Minister of Culture Gender, Entertainment and Sport, the Honourable Olivia Grange, has been presented with the Key to the City of Lauderhill in Florida in the United Sates.

Minister Grange was given the honour for what the City of Lauderhill said was her “outstanding leadership, tireless efforts in promoting Jamaican culture and preserving Reggae music globally.”

The citation read that her commitment to showcasing the rich heritage of Jamaica had made a significant impact on Jamaicans living in Lauderhill.

The Minister told her audience at the ceremony at which she was presented with the Key to the City at the Lauderhill Commission on February 10, 2025, that “good music, rich culture, and strong communities unite us, uplift us, do more than just move us and build legacies that transcend time.”

The Minister said she had dedicated her life to promoting Jamaican music, culture, and heritage across the globe and the Key to the City was not just a symbol of recognition, but a reminder that the work is far from over.

Minister Grange said the City had long been a place where the rhythms of Reggae, the spirit of the heritage, and the strength of the Jamaican people came together to create something truly special, and that Lauderhill had grown into a home away from home for many Jamaicans.

The Minister said that to receive the recognition from a city that held a special place in the heart of Jamaicans overseas was a privilege, and she was thankful to the leaders and people of Lauderhill.

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Kingston, 6 September 2024 – The Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, the Honourable Olivia Grange, has said that she’s deeply saddened by the passing of the musicologist and author, Garth White.

Minister Grange said Mr White was “like an encyclopaedia that I could always consult on matters related to Jamaican music; he was so knowledgable.”

“I am really sad by this news. The nation has lost an outstanding son whose knowledge and passion for our music was unparalleled. I really will miss him,” said Minister Grange.

Mr White served as Researcher at the African Caribbean Institute of Jamaica/Jamaica Memory Bank, part of the Institute of Jamaica which is an agency of the Ministry of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport.

He also served on the Reggae Gold Awards Committee, which selected the first 50 Reggae Gold Awardees.

In recognition of his writings on Jamaican music, Minister Grange awarded him the Reggae Gold Media Award.

His publications included ‘The Development of Jamaican Popular Music with Special Reference to the Music of Bob Marley: A Bibliography’ (1982) and ‘Traditional Musical Practice in Jamaica and Its Influences on the Birth of Modern Jamaican Popular Music’ (1982).

Mr White passed away on Wednesday at age 77.

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Kingston, 21 August 2024 – The Ministry of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport and Ministry of Tourism have proposed the twinning of Montego Bay, Jamaica with the Brazilian city of São Luís.

The Minister of Tourism, Edmund Barlett, made the proposal on a visit to the city on Monday where he signed a cooperation agreement with his Brazilian counterpart, Celso Sabino, aimed at strengthening tourism and cultural ties between both countries.

In his address, Minister Bartlett said: “after deliberation with the Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, Olivia Grange, we propose to twin the cities of Montego Bay and São Luís as a show of musical fraternity and solidarity, and in recognition of the strong ties that bind both of our peoples.”

São Luís is one of the principal cities of the state of Maranhão which is known for its embrace of and obsession with Reggae music.

In 2018, Maranhão established the first museum, not located in Jamaica, that is dedicated to showcasing Reggae.

Minister Grange said she anticipated future collaborations with the Maranhão museum and the Jamaica Music Museum in Kingston in the promotion of Reggae music.

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Kingston, 25 November 2022 – The Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, the Honourable Olivia Grange, has said that there is no tension between the Government and the Rastafari or Maroon communities in Jamaica.

Minister Grange made the statement as she appeared before the United Nations Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination.

The Minister’s appearance before the Committee via video link over the last two days (Thursday and Friday) is part of the regular reporting mechanism on the measures implemented by Jamaica in keeping with the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination.

Responding to questions regarding the Government’s relationship with Rastafari and the Maroon communities in light of reports of the cutting of the hair of a Rastafari elder at a hospital, as well as reports of tensions in the Accompong Town community, Minister Grange said that “while there may be individual issues, we continue to enjoy excellent relations with these groups. Certainly as the Minister of Culture responsible for those groups, we engage constantly and have had wonderful outcomes. And we recognise their indigenous culture and we recognise them as Jamaicans.”

Minister Grange made a distinction between ‘indigenous culture’ and ‘indigenous people’.

The Minister also referenced financial and other support given by the Government to Maroon communities including Moore Town, Charles Town, Scott’s Hall and Accompong Town to assist with their festivals and development initiatives.

She also spoke of reparations to members of the Rastafari community who were victims of the Coral Gardens Incident of 1963.

Minister Grange said:

“Jamaica, despite its size and limited resources, has made significant strides in implementing the Convention and in rooting out any hint of racial discrimination within the society. We have sought to address past wrongs and to strengthen our legal and institutional frameworks. We will continue to bolster existing mechanisms for the protection and advancement of the rights of every citizen, at all levels of the Jamaican society, no matter race, colour, creed or class.”

The Minister said Jamaica would continue to monitor the human rights situation in the country and make adjustments where necessary.

“We acknowledge that there is room for improvement, and we are resolved to engage and ensure the full respect of the rights of all Jamaicans. Our beloved Jamaica will remain welcoming to all peoples regardless of skin colour. We strive to foster unity. Out of Many One People is who we are and will continue to be.”

Jamaica’s delegation to the Geneva-based meeting of the United Nations Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination faced broad questions touching on the protection of human rights in a range of areas. The meeting reviewed the multi sectoral 2019 Country Report submitted by the Government of Jamaica.

The delegation included Her Excellency Ambassador Cheryl Spencer, the Permanent Representative of Jamaica to the United Nations and her team; Miss Sherise Gayle, Senior Assistant Attorney General; Captain Natalie James, Human Rights Specialist in the Ministry of Legal and Constitutional Affairs; and
Mrs Laleta Davis Mattis, Chair of the National Council on Reparation.

They were supported via video link by several government Ministries, Departments and Agencies including the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, the Ministry of Education and Youth, the Ministry of National Security and the Ministry of Labour and Social Security.

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Kingston, 4 April 2022 - The Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, the Honourable Olivia Grange, has congratulated United States-based Reggae band, Soldier of Jah Army (SOJA), on their winning the Grammy Award for ‘Best Reggae Album’.

The Award, presented at the 64th Annual Grammy awards in Las Vegas, Nevada, went to SOJA for their seventh studio album, ‘Beauty in the Silence’.

Minister Grange said:
“I want to congratulate SOJA on their award. This speaks to the universality of Reggae music and its worldwide reach. I recall in 2018 in Mauritius, when UNESCO inscribed Reggae Music, some of the most impassioned and stirring speeches about Reggae came from far-flung countries such as China, Japan, Poland, Saudi Arabia, Poland and Cameroon. Our music has touched and influenced the lives of people all around the world.”

The Minister also paid tribute to the Jamaican artistes who were nominated for the Reggae Grammy. “I want to especially recognise, Spice, for her album ‘10’ and Etana, for ‘Pajoma’. This is the first time in the 36 years of the Awards that two women were nominated in the Category and it is something that we must also celebrate. I wish also to congratulate Sean Paul for ‘Live N Livin’, Jesse Royal for ‘Royal’, and Gramps Morgan for ‘Positive Vibration’.”

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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, 8 December 2021 – The Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, the Honourable Olivia Grange, has announced, with great sadness, the passing of Jamaican Reggae musician and record producer, Robbie Shakespeare of Sly and Robbie fame.

Minister’s Statement

“I am in shock and sorrow after just receiving the news that my friend and brother, the legendary bassist Robbie Shakespeare has died.

Robbie and Sly Dunbar (the drummer) as Sly and Robbie, have been among Jamaica's greatest musicians.

This fantastic team took bass playing and drumming to the highest level as they made music for themselves as a group, and for many other artistes locally and internationally.

Robbie's loss will be felt by the industry at home and abroad. He will be sorely missed.

I offer my deepest condolences to those he leaves behind.

Love you, Robbie.

Rest in peace.”

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Kingston, 28 June 2021 – Due to the forecast of thunderstorms, the Ministry of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport has cancelled the outdoor concert which was scheduled for International Reggae Day on Thursday, July 1, 2021 at Port Royal.

Instead, the Ministry will host the world premiere of the docufilm ‘Dennis Emmanuel Brown: The Crown Prince of Reggae; the Man and the Music’ indoors at the Little Theatre.

The docufilm was commissioned by the Ministry of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport and produced by Judith Bodley.

The event will be staged in keeping with the requirements of the Disaster Risk Management Act which prescribes a capacity limit for indoor venues, including theatres.

The programme will also feature Richie Stephens, who will perform a medley of Dennis Brown songs; as well as L’Acadco performing a piece specially choreographed by Dr L’Antoinette Stines to Dennis Brown’s ‘Revolution’.

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Kingston, 14 March 2021 – The Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, the Honourable Olivia Grange, has hailed the posthumous victory of the Reggae legend Toots Hibbert in the Grammy Awards for 2020 which were announced today.

Toots and the Maytals won the Grammy Award for Best Reggae Album with 'Got to Be Tough’.

Minister Grange said she was “very pleased to hear that Toots had won the Reggae Grammy.”

Minister Grange said:
“Toots put his all into this album and I’m very glad to see him recognised for his creative excellence and musical genius. This is a great moment of celebration, not only for Toots’ family, his team or his record label, but for all Jamaicans, especially those of us in the Reggae industry.”

‘Got to Be Tough’ was released just days before Toots died last year.

The album won ahead of ‘One World’ by the Wailers, ‘Upside Down 2020’ by Buju Banton, ‘Higher Place’ by Skip Marley, and ‘It All Comes Back To Love’ by Maxi Priest.

Minister Grange congratulated all the nominees.

It’s the second Grammy Award for Toots and the Maytals who won the Best Reggae Album for 2004 with ‘True Love’.

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Kingston, 2 March 2021 – The Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, the Honourable Olivia Grange, has released the following tribute to the Reggae legend, Bunny Wailer.

Minister’s Statement:

“The passing of Bunny Wailer, whose correct name is Neville O’Riley Livingston, has left a void in the culture and entertainment sector that may never be filled. Also affectionately called Jah B, Bunny Wailer has distinguished himself among the pioneers of Reggae music and as one whose works have spanned the decades while remaining relevant.

From his earliest beginnings through his familial relationship and friendship with Reggae’s King Bob Marley and the indomitable Peter Tosh, Bunny Wailer was destined for glory. A member of one of Jamaica’s most formidable groups, The Wailers, Bunny, Bob and Peter lit a flame that burns brightly to this day. A singer, songwriter and percussionist in his own right, Bunny’s contribution to the trio was legendary. Together they created lyrics and rhythms that inspired people the world over, igniting flames of resistance and resilience wherever they toured.

Bunny Wailer, however, soon decided against touring and set his eyes on a powerful solo career. Through sheer brilliance and relentless determination, he was able to carve out a place for himself, winning during his lifetime three Reggae Grammy Awards. He was unabashed in his respect for Bob Marley and Peter Tosh even after their passing and determined to celebrate them through his own creations and renditions of their compositions. He also showcased many international artistes, such as Willie Nelson, Eric Clapton, among others.

Bunny Wailer was respected within the music industry of Jamaica. Young musicians and veterans saw him as a musical icon and elder statesman of Reggae. For his outstanding musicianship, artistry and composition as well as his contribution to the development of Reggae music, Jamaica’s most formidable export, the Government of Jamaica conferred on him the Order of Jamaica in 2012 and the distinguished Order of Merit in 2017.

Today, on his passing, we offer deepest condolences to his family and share in their thanksgiving for a life well spent.

Today Jamaica mourns one of its most revered icons whose journey from Nine Miles, his birthplace, to his sojourn in Kingston among the trailblazers and pioneers, and then to the world, has been a beacon for an industry that has bloomed with economic and cultural prosperity for its exponents. Bunny Wailer’s memory will be etched among the ‘buffalo soldier’ whose cultural warfare and creative energy carried Reggae music and Jamaica to the international hall of fame and brought income to themselves and revenue to our country.

Well done and walk good, ‘Blackheart Man’ Bunny, and may you bring rhythm and bass into your ‘Dreamland’. Jah lives.”

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