Performers/Legend Awardee – Reggae North Music Award

Performers/ Legend Awardee

About Jimmy Reid

2024 LIVING LEGEND HONOUREE

Born in 1944 in Jackson, Sligoville, St Catherine, Jamaica, Jimmy Reid’s early passion for music was evident through his vocal performances at school and church. These initial onset into singing laid the foundation for a remarkable career that has endured for over six decades.

In the late 1960s, Reid moved from rural Jamaica to the vibrant musical hub of west Kingston, where he lived with his grandmother. This relocation was pivotal, as it brought him closer to Duke Reid’s Studio, one of Jamaica’s premier recording establishments. Here, Jimmy immersed himself in the dynamic world of Jamaican music, mingling with future legends such as Eric Donaldson, Jimmy London, Max Romeo, Gregory Isaacs, and The Cables.

Reid’s early career saw him experiment with group performances, eventually joining The Beltones and later The Cables. With The Cables, he released three songs around 1972. In 1974, Reid launched his solo career with the single “Time Will Tell,” released on the Dawn label. The following year, seeking broader opportunities, he migrated to Canada, where he became a fixture in Toronto’s club circuit.

In Toronto, Reid formed the group Jimmy Reid & The Rocking Moments, producing the single “I’m So Fed Up.” Eventually, he embarked on a solo path again, achieving significant success with hits like “Rest Your Love on Me,” which topped the Toronto reggae charts, followed by other chart-toppers “Open the Door” and “My Tears Are Falling.”

Reid’s debut album, “Are You Ready,” was released in 1984, followed by a second album in 1986, produced by Winston Richards and featuring keyboard contributions from the legendary Jackie Mittoo. His work earned him accolades, including his first Reggae Award for Best Single in 1984. Over the years, Reid garnered a total of ten Canadian Reggae Music Awards in various categories and was a nominee for the Juno Awards’ Best Reggae Recording in 2001.

Celebrating his 80th birthday recently, Jimmy Reid shows no signs of slowing down. With a career spanning over 60 years, he continues to make music and inspire fans worldwide. His eighth album, set for release in December, marks another milestone in his enduring legacy.

Event MC

Elaine Thompson

Elaine Thompson, a distinguished radio personality and entrepreneur, was born in Jamaica and migrating to Canada as a teenager, Elaine Thompson has built an impressive career in broadcasting. She spent many years as a station manager at 105.5 FM and worked for 20 years as an on-air personality at various radio stations in Toronto and Jamaica. Her last radio stint was co-hosting “Grapevine,” a popular weekly live talk show on Canada’s only Black Radio Station, G98.7 FM.

Thompson is a graduate of Clarendon College in Jamaica and furthered her studies at Ryerson University, Durham College, Humber College, and OREA College. As a mother of two, she has successfully balanced her roles as a radio host, entrepreneur, real estate broker, and insurance broker. Her transition into real estate and insurance was driven by a desire to help her community build wealth, recognizing the cultural contributions her community has made globally.

Recently, Elaine Thompson made history by becoming the co-owner of the Falcon Inn in Niagara Falls, Ontario, likely the first black-owned hotel in the Niagara region. Her entrepreneurial spirit and dedication to community development are evident in all her endeavors.

Whether as a radio host, master of ceremony, or business owner, Elaine Thompson has an effortless way of engaging people through conversation. Her involvement in the Reggae North Music Awards is sure to enhance the event, bringing a touch of her signature charm and authenticity.

Event MC

Master T

Originally from Leeds, England, Tony Young aka Master T, carved out an illustrious career at MuchMusic, where he hosted, produced, and interviewed some of the world’s biggest artists. His impressive roster of interviews includes Madonna, Janet Jackson, Eminem, Mary J. Blige, Backstreet Boys, Spice Girls, Meat Loaf, Jay-Z, Tupac, Dr. Dre, and countless others.

As the co-creator and host of MuchMusic’s wildly popular show, Da Mix (previously X-Tendamix), which aired from 1990 to 2001, Master T spent his 40-plus year career championing music of Black origin. His contributions brought hip-hop, R&B, reggae, house, and more to Canadian audiences, making him a seminal figure in the Canadian music landscape. He also became the face of the MuchMusic Dance Mix compilation CD series, further solidifying his influence in the music industry.

Master T has also left a significant imprint on reggae and dancehall in Canada. He has hosted and interviewed top reggae and dancehall stars like Shaggy, Shabba, Capleton, Foxy Brown, Maxi Priest, and Marcia Griffiths, providing the genre with a much-needed visual outlet throughout the country.

In the late ’90s, through Fullstedd/Esor Productions, which he created with his wife Paula, Master T produced “Master T’s Reggae and Urban Vibes,” showcasing some of the top reggae artists of that era. The company later produced and directed international reggae star Sean Paul’s “Duttyology” DVD for EMI/Atlantic and VP Records.

Currently, Master T continues his work as host, producer, and director for Esor Productions, providing online content and creating properties for the brand he established with his wife. His accolades include a Toronto Bob Marley Award, a Ghanaian Community Award, and a Mohawk College Alumni of Distinction Award.