Marcia Griffiths ‘honoured’ by doctorate from UWI

Queen of Reggae, Marcia Griffiths, will soon have the authority to add the title 'Doctor' to her name.

The legendary singer is scheduled to be conferred with the Honorary Degree of Doctor of Letters from The University of the West Indies (UWI), Mona, on Saturday, November 1.

"I am overwhelmed!" the reggae icon told THE STAR in an interview from Slovenia, where she is flying the flag high for reggae music.

"There are two universities of distinction in Kingston, which are decades-old, and for either of them to consider giving me an honorary doctorate is a great, great honour. Very few things can be compared to this and I thank God to be around to receive this blessing," said Griffiths.

She is looking forward to standing on stage at The UWI, in her academic regalia on November 1, making her family and fans proud and "hoping to inspire the graduates".

"I have fans of all ages ... and I love every one of them. But, young people are special and in whatever way we can, we should aim to care for them and show them the right path. Music, touring, the studio and the stage have all been my university of life and I have learned many valuable lessons. I am filled with gratitude to The University of the West Indies for this honour," the Electric Boogie singer told THE STAR. Whether or not she will have the UWI graduates doing the Electric Slide, remains to be seen.

Griffiths, who is well decorated, was in 2023 upgraded from an Order of Distinction (Commander Class) to Order of Jamaica, in recognition for her outstanding contributions to music. In 2024, she celebrated an illustrious 60 years in the music business and hosted a mega celebration at Hope Gardens with some of the biggest names in music. With the honorary doctorate, Griffiths follows in the footsteps of her friend for life Beres Hammond, who was conferred with the Honorary Degree of Doctor of Letters from The UWI in 2023.

Griffiths started singing professionally in 1964 for the Byron Lee and the Dragonaires band. Her recording years started soon after at Coxsone Dodd's Studio One. It was there that she recorded her first hit, Feel Like Jumping, which is one of the many classics in her catalogue. She was one half of the dynamic vocal duo, Bob [Andy] and Marcia and also spent many years touring the world with another Bob -- Marley -- as one third of his backing vocalists, the I-Threes.

The UWI Presentation of Graduates Ceremonies will be held at the Mona Campus from Thursday, October 30 to Saturday, November 1, with five ceremonies scheduled to take place in total. In addition to Griffiths, three other distinguished persons will be honoured. Honorary Degree of Doctor of Science will be conferred on Professor Gene Morse; Honorary Degree of Doctor of Letters will be conferred on Bishop Robert Clarke; and the Honorary Degree of Doctor of Laws will be conferred on the late Donald 'Don' Wehby.