Songbird Nadine Sutherland has been crown the ‘Real Princess of Reggae and Dancehall’ on Emancipation Day.

The Wicked and Wild singer was honored at an event organiZed by a group called the Original Dancehall Thursdays Committee. The organization consists of members such as dancehall star Major Mackerel, renowned deejay and recording artiste Peter Metro, Oneil ‘Famous’ and Snagga Puss.

“I feel very honored because is like I’ve just been living my life and whatever comes come, so when I got the call and dem seh ‘We waah honor you and give yuh di official crowning as Reggae Princess’, I said ‘Thank you very much’. I felt deeply honoured and deeply moved. So [on Thursday] night when it happened, mi naah guh lie, I felt myself tearing up,” Sutherland shared in an exclusive interview with THE STAR.

The event, which featured the crowning of the ‘Real Princess of Reggae and Dancehall’, also featured a ‘three the hard way’ sound clash with sound systems Potential, Slata House and Echo Vibes. The entertainment package was also infused with performances from artistes Nitty Kutchie, Tyrical, New York-based artiste Shenelle XO and Young Garvey.

Sutherland, who been in the music industry most of her life, said it felt good to have her parents witness her crowning.

“I was very proud that [my dad] was there because it took me back to when I used to grow up in the country and my dad used to have a sound system called Super Tones. Although I couldn’t go to dance, I grow up in that culture – seeing sound box around you in yuh house, doing dubs for my father…and when I did my masters I had to study [dancehall music] as a subject. [Overall] it felt good for me that my parents were there; they are still here and it felt incredible to have them witnessing this moment,” she said.

She also felt honored that reggae historian Copeland Forbes turned up to celebrate with her on his birthday.

While still beaming with pride, the singer took the time to acknowledge the ‘Crown Prince of Reggae’ – Dennis Brown and the ‘Queen of Reggae’ Marcia Griffiths, adding that, to be aligned with such musical greats is “some real nice accolades because no one can dispute the fact that some of the most iconic songs done in dancehall and reggae were done by Nadine Sutherland”.

The soulful Sutherland shot to fame after winning the popular talent show, ‘Tastee Talent Trail’ more than 40 years ago. She has since been on a steady musical path, serving up several timeless hits throughout her career.

At a very tender age, the brilliant singer was signed by the legend Bob Marley under the Tuff Gong studio label, where she released the single, Starvation on the Land.