Marcia Griffiths, renowned as the Queen of Reggae, has been selected to be honoured with the Order of Jamaica (OJ), the nation’s fourth-highest distinction. She was previously awarded the Order of Distinction (OD), Jamaica’s sixth-highest honour.
Among the five distinguished recipients, Griffiths will be presented with this prestigious award on October 16, 2023, which coincides with Jamaica’s National Heroes Day.
With a career that ignited in the early 1960s, Griffiths made her mark as a young performer in Kingston, collaborating with bands like Byron Lee and The Dragonaires. Guided by singer/songwriter Bob Andy, she achieved a series of hits, including iconic tracks like “Feel Like Jumping,” “Mark My Word,” and “Really Together” (with Bob Andy) under the renowned producer Clement “Coxson” Dodd at Studio One label.
Her success didn’t stop there; Griffiths made history in the UK during the early 1970s with her reggae rendition of Nina Simone’s “Young, Gifted and Black.” In the 1970s, she was also a vital member of The I Three, Bob Marley’s harmony trio, alongside Rita Marley and Judy Mowatt.
Following Bob Marley’s passing in 1981, Griffiths garnered massive acclaim with “Electric Boogie,” which not only became a hit but also ignited a dance phenomenon by the same name in the United States. The 1990s marked a renaissance for Griffiths, as she joined forces with producer Donovan Germain’s Penthouse Records, sharing her talents alongside esteemed artists like Beres Hammond, Buju Banton, Wayne Wonder, and Cutty Ranks.
In a gesture that reflects the depth of talent in Jamaica’s entertainment industry, several other luminaries are also set to be awarded the Order of Distinction (OD). The honorees include pioneers like ska singer Owen Gray, Neville Garrick, Justine Henzell, Tarrus Riley, Wayne Marshall, Lenford Salmon, and the influential Clive “DJ Kool” Herc, often referred to as the father of hip-hop, who played a pivotal role in shaping the genre.
