Diaspora Jamaicans Among National Heroes Day Honorees

Jamaican dancehall star Shabba Rank, 2nd from l., is congratulated by the bandmembers of Third World after being conferred with the OD honor in Jamaica on Oct. 17, 2016.

By Felicia J. Persaud

News Americas, KINGSTON, Jamaica, Fri. Oct. 21, 2016: At least six Jamaicans from the Jamaican Diaspora were among 200 others recognized for their outstanding contributions to nation building at the National Honours and Awards ceremony held on National Heroes Day Monday, October 17th, on the lawns of King’s House in Kingston, Jamaica.

Among them were Rexton Rawlston Fernando Gordon, more popularly known as Shabba Ranks, who lives in NYC today; the late great Gregory Isaacs; Brooklyn Gynecologist, Dr. Millicent Comrie; VP Records’ Chris Chin; Orville Brian Dorman of the UK Jamaican Diaspora and Enid Joyce Mclaughlin of the Jamaican Diaspora in Canada.

Shabba Ranks, one of the most popular dancehall artists of his generation, was awarded the Order of Distinction, for his “invaluable contribution to the Jamaican Music Industry locally and internationally.” Ranks, 50, was also one of the first Jamaican deejays to gain worldwide acceptance, and recognition for his ‘slack’ lyrical expressions and content including songs like “Trailer Load A Girls,” “Love Punaany Bad” and “Mr. Loverman.”

Late Jamaican reggae musician Gregory Anthony Isaacs, who lived until the time of his death in the UK, was also given the OD for his “outstanding contribution to the Jamaican Music Industry locally and internationally.”

VP Records’ CEO Chris Chin was presented with the Order of Jamaica for his “outstanding work in the music industry both locally and internationally” while Jamaican-born, Brooklyn-based Gynecologist Dr. Millicent Comrie was presented with the OD for “outstanding contribution and service in the fields of medicine and family life.”

Meanwhile, Orville Brian Dorman, a Jamaican in the UK, received the Badge of Honor for Gallantry for “demonstrated commitment to the service of Jamaica and to the defence of Jamaica’s interests overseas especially, to the Jamaican Diaspora in the United Kingdom” while Enid Joyce Mclaughlin was presented with the Badge of Honor for Meritorious Service to the Jamaican Diaspora in Canada.

The 2016 honorees were conferred with their honor by Jamaica Governor General Sir Patrick Allen.