By Howard Campbell—
In a medium that has produced its share of influential figures, David Rodigan is a titan in the realm of reggae broadcasting and sound system selectors.
For over 40 years, the jocular Englishman has expressed his passion for Jamaican music through gigs at the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) and countless sound clashes around the world.
That contribution has been recognized by the Jamaican government which has awarded the 69 year-old Rodigan its Order of Distinction, the country’s sixth highest honor.
He will receive the insignia on October 19 during Jamaica’s National Honors and Awards ceremony in Kingston, the country’s capital.
“I am overwhelmed that the Jamaican government have seen fit to award me with such a highly distinguished honor. Never in my wildest dreams could I imagine this happening, and the fact that I’m not Jamaican resonates with me even more. I’m truly humbled and I am still reeling from the shock,” said Rodigan.
The German-born Rodigan’s radio career started at the BBC in 1978. One year later he visited Jamaica for the first time.
He was introduced to Jamaican dancehall fans in the 1980’s when he and Jamaican Disc Jockey Barry “Barry G” Gordon squared off in a series of memorable sound clashes in Jamaica and New York.
Rodigan continues to tour his sound system show in North America, Europe and visits Jamaica often with a crew from BBC Radio 1Xtra to cover current music trends.
In 2018, a documentary, David Rodigan: Reggae Fever, was released. The previous year, his autobiography, Rodigan: My Life In Reggae, came out.
He said encouragment to write his memoirs came from a famous artist.
“Damian Marley and I were at an after-party at a pub in Buxton following the Notting Hill Carnival three years ago, and he said, ‘You need to write a book, you need to make this heritage connect’,” Rodigan told the Jamaica Observer in 2018.
Other entertainment and arts recipients of the OD this year are singers Eric Donaldson, Cedella Marley and Keith Lyn, actor Oliver Samuels, Deiwght Peters, head of Saint International modeling agency, dancer/choreographer Clive Thompson, and music producers Jon Baker and Robert “Bobby Digital” Dixon (posthumously).
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