Jimmy Cliff Honoured Twice in One Day4 min read

Iconic reggae artiste Jimmy Cliff was honoured at the Grand Gala, held at the National Stadium on Independence Day. The entertainer was honoured for his contributions to reggae music as Minister of Culture Olivia ‘Babsy’ Grange dubbed him a ‘pioneer of the music’.

Former Prime Minister Edward Seaga was also honoured at the event. That was the second time the entertainer was being honoured in one day, as he was given the Key to the City of Montego Bay earlier that day. He was presented with the key by Mayor Homer Davis during the Independence Uniform Parade and Civic Ceremony hosted by the St James Municipal Corporation, in cooperation with the JCDC, in Sam Sharpe Square.

During the handing-over ceremony, Davis described Jimmy Cliff as an extraordinary man, and said that it was the right time to honour the iconic singer in his hometown, as that has never happened before. “He has never been recognised in the parish of his birth, so we feel that we have done the right thing,” Davis said. Cliff, in accepting the honour, said he was happy and humbled at the recognition.

Along with the national salute at the Grand Gala, and the keys, the entertainer will be further credited with a street renamed in his honour. The St James Municipal Corporation will rename Gloucester Avenue as Jimmy Cliff Avenue.