By Yasmine Peru/Senior Gleaner Writer—

Lenford Salmon

Thirteen individuals who have excelled in the fields of entertainment, arts and culture will be honoured on National Heroes Day by the Jamaican Government.

Leading the charge will be veteran singer Marcia Griffiths, who will be acknowledged “for sterling contribution to reggae music locally and internationally”. Already the recipient of the Order of Distinction (OD), Commander Class, which she was conferred with in 2014, ‘Sister Marcia’ as she is affectionately called, will step up to the Order of Jamaica (OJ), the island’s fourth-highest honor.

The Queen of Reggae, who performed at Reggae Geel festival in Belgium on Friday night, is still in Europe, where she tours annually.

“I am going on stage now … I am in Germany,” Sister Marcia responded, when contacted by The Gleaner on Sunday. Always gracious, she promised to call as soon as she could.

Earlier this year, she was the recipient of The Gleaner’s Flair Pioneer Award for Entertainment.

Making the honors list to receive the Order of Distinction, Commander Class, are Clive ‘DJ Kool Herc’ Campbell, for contribution to the international recognition of the reggae/DJ music genre and for pioneering the hip-hop music genre; and Neville Kenneth Garrick, for contribution to Jamaica’s music, art and culture locally and internationally.

Jamaican American DJ Kool Herc is credited for the creation of hip-hop music in the Bronx, New York City, in the 1970s. Known as the Founder of Hip-Hop and Father of Hip-Hop, DJ Kool Herc began playing hard funk records of the sort typified by James Brown. He was born on April 16, 1955.

Renowned graphic artist Neville Garrick was part of Bob Marley’s inner circle and designed many of the iconic album covers for Marley and several other reggae artistes. He also designed the backdrops for the Reggae Sunsplash festival for much of the 1980s and has worked with Burning Spear, Steel Pulse, and many others. Garrick is the author of A Rasta’s Pilgrimage: Ethiopian Faces and Places. Garrick was a founder and executive director of the Bob Marley Museum.

Seven stalwarts have been named recipients of the Order of Distinction, Officer Class. They are Diana Fredricks, for contribution to the development of the business of art and artists in Jamaica; Owen George Anthony Gray, for contribution to the development of Jamaican music; Justine Henzell, for contribution to the film and television industry in Jamaica and literary arts; Wayne ‘Marshall’ Mitchell, for contribution to the field of entertainment, in particular reggae music; Omar ‘Tarrus’ Riley, for contribution to reggae music and entertainment, locally and internationally; Lenford Joseph Salmon, for contribution to Jamaica’s art and culture, in particular the production of national events; and Natalie Grace Thompson, for contribution to the development of the Jamaican film and television industry for over 50 years.

The Badge of Honor for Meritorious Service will be awarded to Lurline Winnifred Lilieth Christian for service in the field of music; Roxanne Marie Silent, for meritorious service to the National Gallery of Jamaica; and Clement ‘Ras Clem’ Hume, for service to the Jamaican diaspora in the United States.

Hume said that he was “honored and humbled”.

“It feels good to be recognized by your country, especially on Heroes Day. I will wear it with pride,” Hume is the host of Groovin Radio, 93.5 FM, NY, and co-producer of North America’s premier reggae and R&B festival, Groovin’ In The Park.

All honorees will be officially conferred at the National Honors and Awards Ceremony, which is held annually on National Heroes Day in October.