BRAMPTON, ONTARIO — October 2. The stars aligned for reggae star Duane Stephenson, who enjoyed a memorable weekend of recognition and celebration at the Third Annual Reggae North Music Awards (RNMA) in Brampton, Ontario.
Stephenson, renowned for his distinctive voice and a catalogue of reggae hits, was honoured by both the Reggae North Cultural Association and the City of Brampton for his contribution to reggae music and culture.
The Jamaican reggae singer also made history as the first reggae star from outside Canada to perform at the Reggae North Music Awards. He marked the occasion with an energetic half-hour performance that had the audience singing along and dancing to some of his best-known songs.
Stephenson thrilled the crowd with fan favourites including “Cottage in Negril,” “August Town,” “Fool for You,” and “Ghetto Pain.” His performance was one of the highlights of the evening, with the audience enthusiastically singing along to virtually every word.
Earlier in the evening, the Mayor of Brampton presented Stephenson with a citation recognizing his contribution to reggae music. The civic honour highlighted the significance of his musical career and his contribution to the continued growth and appreciation of reggae music.
The evening brought another major honour for Stephenson when, shortly before taking the stage, the Reggae North Cultural Association named him the inaugural recipient of the Reggae North Ambassador Award.
The award recognizes Stephenson’s contribution to reggae music and his role in helping to promote the genre and its culture to audiences around the world.
For Stephenson, the double recognition from the City of Brampton and Reggae North added another memorable chapter to a career built on music, culture and a deep connection with reggae audiences.
The Third Annual Reggae North Music Awards celebrated reggae music and its contribution to the Canadian cultural landscape, while Stephenson’s historic performance and honours provided one of the weekend’s defining moments.