Jamaica Has Lost a Treasured Icon – PM

#Kingston, April 26, 2023 – Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Andrew Holness and Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, Hon. Oliva Grange, joined the local and international community in honouring the late singer, actor and activist, Harry Belafonte.

Mr. Belafonte, who was of Jamaican parentage, and who used his entertainment platform to break racial barriers in the 1950s, died on Tuesday (April 25) at 96.

The Prime Minister said that the nation has lost a “a treasured icon”, while hailing Mr. Belafonte for using his talent to promote social justice and equity for all.

Mr. Holness described the late icon as “a true Ambassador for Jamaica and Jamaican culture” and “a trailblazer who paved the way for generations of artists and activists to come”.

“On behalf of the people of Jamaica, I extend our deepest condolences to Harry Belafonte’s family and loved ones. We will never forget his contributions to our country and the world, and we will continue to honour his memory,” the Prime Minister said.

Minister Grange, similarly, offered condolences to Mr. Belafonte’s widow, Pamela, his children, grandchildren and friends.

She spoke fondly of Mr. Belafonte’s activism and heaped praises on the global superstar for being a “voice, face, and inspiration for black people everywhere”.

In a release from her Ministry, the Minister said that Mr. Belafonte, was “an important promoter of our folk music – bringing ‘Day-O’, ‘Jamaica Farewell’ and other songs to America and elsewhere”.

He also ignited a craze for Caribbean music in the United States where his album ‘Calypso’ which featured ‘Day-O’ and ‘Jamaica Farewell’ topped the Billboard chart shortly after release in 1956 and remained at the top for 31 weeks. ‘Calypso’ was the first album by a single artist to sell more than a million copies.

He was also one of the first black actors to achieve success in Hollywood as a leading man.

A two-time Grammy-award recipient, Mr. Belafonte was also credited with helping to organise the USA for Africa project, which resulted in the all-star recording ‘We Are the World’ in 1985 that raised money to fight famine in Africa.

He also studied black history at the urging of his shipmates in the US Navy and worked alongside Martin Luther King Jr. in the civil rights movement.

In 2018, Mr. Belafonte was the recipient of the Order of Merit from the Government of Jamaica, for outstanding contribution in the field of music.

He was born in New York in 1927. His mother, Melvine, was born in Jamaica. She moved back to Jamaica in 1936 with Harry and his younger brother but went back to America soon afterwards leaving the boys in the care of relatives. Before rejoining her in New York in 1940, they were able to immerse in the Jamaican culture.

The news of Mr. Belafonte’s death today has been met with other moving tributes locally and internationally and has sparked global news coverage as the world mourns the loss of one of the greats.

Contact: Mickella Anderson

Release: JIS

JIS File Photos

Header: Harry Belafonte used his entertainment platform to break racial barriers during the 1950s.

 Insert: Noted singer, actor and activist, Harry Belafonte.