The Third Annual Linkage Music Awards honoring outstanding Jamaican artistes will be held at the Macedonia Center in Mount Vernon, New York on Sunday, March 11.

“Among those to be honored are Marcia Griffiths, Beres Hammond, Denroy Morgan, Wayne Wonder, Sanchez and Ken Boothe,” said founder of the Awards Show Dexter ‘Linkage’ Blake. Several top artistes have also been nominated for awards in various categories.

International logistics solutions provider Laparkan Trading is among the sponsors of the event honoring those artistes who have helped to propel reggae music on the world stage.

General Manager of Laparkan Shipping Jamaica, Ms. Marguerite Taylor said Laparkan is pleased to be among the sponsors of the awards especially as Jamaica celebrates its 50th anniversary of Independence this year. Taylor said the company is also honored to be invited to be one of the presenters at the awards ceremony.

“Reggae has evolved as one of the leading music forms globally and this is testimony to the creativity and great talent of our Jamaican artistes, some of whom will be honored during this event,” Taylor said.

Taylor pointed out that reggae music along with the steel pan, which was invented in Trinidad and Tobago in the 20th century and West Indies cricket “have over the years helped to positively propel the Caribbean on the world stage.”

Among the nominees for awards this year are Romain Virgo, Movado, and I-Octane, Kip Rich, Beres Hammond, Tony Matterhorn and Laze Morgan. Virgo made international headlines last year when he became the first reggae artiste to perform at the Country Music Awards in Nashville, Tennessee.

“Laparkan’s sponsorship of this music awards ceremony will help begin a special community outreach campaign the company is undertaking in the New York Tri-State area,” Taylor said.

Taylor and her team will be meeting with Jamaican community organizations including church and business leaders to explore areas of mutual interest and collaboration in the future.