Lack of education causing OD controversy – Patrick Roberts

Producer Patrick Roberts is calling on the various music organisations to educate their members on the selection criteria for the recipients of national honours and awards.

Roberts, who was conferred with the Order of Distinction (OD), Officer class, in 2019, stated that each year when the recipients are revealed, there is a debate surrounding "who deserves the OD in music and didn't receive it ... and who was named for the honour and didn't deserve it". On Sunday, the recipients for 2023 were announced.

"I hear the talk and it all comes down to one thing ... a lack of education. First of all, the persons who are receiving the OD or Badge of Honour or Gallantry or whatever the case may be... they have to be nominated. Nominations usually open January 1 and close by the third week or the end of March. The nominations have to be submitted to the committee along with a bio or a profile of the person and that would contain all the reasons why this person would merit the award," Robert said.

He said that it certainly doesn't hurt for an individual to be nominated by several different persons or organisations and added that getting intimately involved in these processes has been a failing of the music fraternity in general and dancehall adherents in particular.

"We sit back and say all kinds of things about the Grammys instead of paying our dues and becoming members. And we do it with the national awards too. We sit back and seh the people dem lock out dancehall because it not socially acceptable. But, look at it closely... how many gospel artistes have we seen getting awards at this level? How many of the producers from back in the day have received this honour? We are doing better now than in previous years because the people are getting the honour while they are still alive. At one time it looked like you had to be a dead singer or musician to named for national honour and then a family member would collect it on your behalf on Heroes Day," Roberts told THE STAR.

Roberts, however, feels that Bounty Killer, Beenie Man, and Capleton have been overlooked.

"If we are really celebrating 61 years of Independence this year, these artistes' names should have come up. They each have more than 30 years of service in the business and all three are still current... that in itself is an achievement," Roberts shared.

He admitted that he didn't know if any of the three had ever been nominated, or if they were leaving it to chance, hoping that the Board of Honours will come up with their names by themselves. He added that he "would hate to think that the little controversies that may have surrounded them would be reason for them to be punished by withholding such an honour".

Roberts, who admitted that he has never nominated anyone, vowed to do the right thing for 2024 and nominate the three.

Thirteen individuals are nominated in the fields of music, arts and culture for 2023. In entertainment, the honourees are Marcia Griffiths, who will be getting the Order of Jamaica, Owen Gray, Tarrus Riley and Wayne Marshall, all of whom Roberts congratulated.