The honor came for the artist some 11 years after being away from the island of his birth and since he performed at the event. The award was presented to the deejay by Jamaica’s culture minister, Lisa Hanna.
Shabba Ranks has not been back to Jamaica since 2001 but returned last week to a rousing welcome from his Jamaican fans as he geared up to perform at the 20th edition of Reggae Sumfest in Montego Bay on July 20th.
Shabba, born Rexton Rawlston Fernando Gordon in St. Ann, Jamaica, is renowned for classics such as ‘Bedroom Bully,’ ‘Ting a Ling’ and ‘Trailer Load.’
“It’s always great fi deh inna mi island because, as mi bigger brother seh, when you check it out, nowhere nuh better than yard. This is the land of my birth, this is Jamaica, the land of my birth. Nuh matta wha gwaan, no matter how mi travel the world, nuh matter wha mi do inna the world, mi age paper mark Sturge Town, St Ann,” Shabba told the Jamaica Gleaner.
Shabba performed at International Night 1 of the Sumfest alongside Tarrus Riley, Tessanne Chin, Sophia Brown and Award-winning American R&B superstar, Trey Songz.
