Bunny Wailer, John Holt & Lady Saw For Lifetime Award

Reggae living legend Bunny Wailer - a member of iconic reggae group The Wailers which comprised Bob Marley and Peter Tosh - singer John Holt, Coco Tea and Queen of the Dancehall Lady Saw will each be awarded a USA proclamation by the Mayor of the City of Mt. Vernon, Ernest Davis at this year’s Linkage Awards in New York, in recognition of their contributions to the development of reggae music. The announcement was made by event founder and chairman Dexter 'Linkage' Blake. The glitzy red carpet event is set to take place on Saturday, March 16, 2013 at The Nellie A Thornton School, 121 South 6th Avenue, Mt. Vernon, New York.

"Bunny is an innovative and exceptional talent and a true international ambassador of reggae music" Blake noted.

"John Holt has recorded many classic hits and penned 'The Tide Is High,' made famous by Blondie. Coco Tea is an accomplished artist who in 2008 endorsed then Presidential candidate, Barack Obama with a powerful song that garnered global attention while Lady Saw is an international star who has won a Grammy Award for her work with No Doubt a few years ago. These accomplishments are significant, so it is only fitting that these music stalwarts be recognized for their hard work" Blake reiterated.

Wailer, Holt, Coco Tea and Lady Saw will also receive 'Lifetime Achievement Awards' and will be inducted in the Linkage Hall of Fame Blake noted.

The 2013 Linkage Awards will also recognize a number of other top artistes, producers and radio DJs in numerous categories including male/female "DJ of the Year," "Best New Artiste," "Song of the Year," Singjay of the Year" and "Radio DJ of the Year."

Artiste of the moment I-Octane, who continues to enjoy a strong presence on reggae charts globally has earned three nominations at the 2013 Linkage awards. Octane, who pocketed three awards in 2011 is nominated for "Singjay of the Year," "Most Consistent Performer" and for "Song of the Year."

Controversial DJ Tommy Lee Sparta, who clawed his way into the hearts of dancehall fans in Jamaica with hit singles "Grave yard," "Psycho," "Some Bwoy," "Money Maker" and "Warn Dem" goes up against Nature for "Breakthrough Reggae Artiste" for 2012. Lee is also nominated for "Most Consistent Artiste" for 2012. Top flight DJ Kiprich who was crowed 'top clash DJ' at Sting 2012 has earned nominations for "Most Consistent Performer" and "Male DJ of the Year." Konshens is nominated for "Song of the Year" and "Most Consistent Artiste."

In the competitive "Song of the Year" category, nominees include Jr Gong Marley (Affairs of the Heart), Mr. Vegas (Bruck It Down), Konshens (Bubble) and I-Octane (We Love The Vibes). For "Radio Personality of the Year - Jamaica," nominees are Barry G (Mello FM) and GT Taylor, Ron Muschette and Big A (Irie FM), while in New York, nominees are Jabba (Hot 97), DJ Roy (Irie Jam Radio), Brother Gary (WLIB 1190 AM), Ragashanti (Linkup Radio), Gassy (Linkage Radio) and Sheron Hamilton-Pearson (E2 On Air radio).