Beenie Man’s desire to receive a national honour has not disappeared, and the Dancehall veteran has renewed his calls to be recognised for his many contributions to the Jamaican music industry.
The National Honours and Awards were brought into effect a few years after Jamaica’s recognition as an independent country. In recognition of their services to Jamaica, citizens may be given one of the Orders of the six Societies of Honour.
While several of his peers, such as Shaggy, Sean Paul, and Shabba Ranks, have been recognised for their contribution to Jamaican music with an Order of Distinction (OD), Beenie Man is yet to receive the same.
The deejay previously expressed disappointment about being overlooked and has renewed his calls to finally be recognised.
During an interview on the Dutty Berry Show, Beenie expressed that his award at this year’s Reggae Gold Awards and the Jamaica Music Museum Hall of Fame Inductions has not made him forget about the national honour. According to the artiste the only national award befitting his contribution is the Order of Jamaica (OJ).
“Mi need mi OJ, Order of Jamaica [ … ] nothing less [ … ] I’m the king of di Dancehall mi nuh need nuh more Order of Distinction. I am already the Order of Distinction,” Beenie stated. The artiste went on to request the award from the Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment, and Sport, Olivia ‘Babsy’ Grange.
“Yow hear mi nuh Babsy, mi still deh yah eno a wait pan di singting yuh zeet. caw a mi mumma still eno. a mi boss, a mi don, a she control music and entertainment. Suh yah fi always respect a person like dat,” Beenie said.
Beenie added that he wanted the OJ so he could receive a diplomatic passport and bypass the embassy.
Watch Beenie Man’s interview below.
