The Irie Jamboree Lifetime Achievement Award will each be present to Freddy McGregor, Sugar Minott and Ken Boothe for their stupendous contribution to reggae music on September 6. The three collectively had voiced some of the biggest reggae classics which helped to reggae music on the map.
Freddy McGregor began his musical career in the early 60’s under the teachings of Coxsone Dodd. In 1972 he formed the Generation Gap band and after the demise of the group, he launched his solo career, which took flight with the single Big Ship. Since then, his hits include Push Come To Shove, Africa Here I Come, I Was Born A Winner, Let Them Try, Prophecy and So I Will Wait For You
Singer/songwriter Ken Boothe has over 40 years of experience in the music business and has had hits such as When I Fall In Love, Every Thing I Own, Artibella and Movin Away. He also collaborated with Shaggy to revamp his single The Train Is Coming.
Minott also enjoyed success as a solo artiste with hits such as No Vacancy, Herbsman Hustling and Devil Pinckney which are virtual anthems in the dancehall. He was also the driving force behind the Youth Promotion which exposed talents like Garnett Silk.
Also on the honorary list are dancehall artistes Bennie Man, who will receive the 2009 Reggae Soldier Award and Shaggy who will be presented with the ‘Reggae Ambassador’ award. Veteran
Among the acts confirmed for Irie Jamboree 2009 are Sean Paul, Mr Vegas, TOK, Assassin, Spice,