Spice, Gramps Morgan Among Invitees At American Immigrant Society’s Cultural Showcase
Two 2021 Best Reggae Album Grammy nominees Spice and Gramps Morgan were among the ‘distinguished guests’ who repped for Jamaica at The American Immigrant Society’s cultural showcase of the Republic of Turkey, Jamaica, the Republic of South Africa and Japan, which took place in New York City on Wednesday.
The event, according to the Society, was aimed at celebrating the extraordinary strength of the unique heritage of American Immigrants. It was Last night was the First Joint Cultural Showcase between the four countries and was held at the newly opened Turkish House.
Video clips of the event showed Spice, who now resides in Atlanta, being interviewed as well as posing for photographs with officials in what the Dancehall Diva later described as “a beautiful night”.
Gramps, who resides in Nashville, shared photographs from the showcase and hailed the organisers for putting on a stellar event.
“POSITIVE VIBRATION!!! It was a pleasure to represent my genre the sweet reggae music My country Jamaica and brand @theislandvibesrum. Blessings to all who attended IMMIGRANTS RULE!!
He also singled out the Jamaican Consul General to New York, Alsion J Wilson for high praises.
“THANKS SO MUCH TO THE BEST CONSULATE @ladyalison YOUR AMAZING… Congratulations To the country of Turkey for launching an amazing NEW embassy in New York City.
“I’m so grateful for you GC I’ve never met a Consulate General like you in my entire life YOU make Jamaica Proud stay on your path,” he added.
Other videos from the event show veteran singer Johnny Osbourne in performance singing, among other songs, his Buddy Bye track on the Sleng Teng riddim, and the audience singing along with him, an occurrence which seems to have impressed the Turks who reposted a snippet on their Consulate’s Instagram page which was titled: “Jamaican vibes at Turkish House. Stay tuned!”
According to Consul General Wilson, the event displayed what she describes as “captivating aspects of each of these rich cultures including festive music, indulgent cuisine as well as fine wines and spirits, and their signature goods, reflective of the unique essences of each nation”.
“Last night, we made history by bringing 🇯🇲 Jamaica to the Turkish House… This First-of-its-Kind partnership between these Consulates General, and the American Immigrant and Japan Societies, highlighted and celebrated the Extraordinary Strength in the Unique Heritage of our Immigrant Communities in an stunningly phenomenal fashion,” she noted on her Instagram page.
“We look forward to more Cultural Showcases that match the marvelous precedent set by last night’s showing! Last night, we brought 🇯🇲 to Turkey. It was the first joint cultural event of its kind. I am very grateful to the Consul General of Turkey for allowing Jamaica to co-host and to our wonderful sponsors coming onboard with us,” she added.
Jamaican companies which co-sponsored the included VP Records, Jamaica Tourist Board, Café Blue and Appleton Estate.
On Friday morning, the Consul General, still reveling in the success of the event, took to Instagram to expressed gratitude to the hosts.
“Good morning! Coming off the heels of our wonderful Cultural Showcase this past Wednesday, I am extra aware of the power of partnership to create something not only beautiful but unifying!” she began.
“The four countries that were represented at the event all have such richness to share. Through my friendship and collaboration with Consul General Reyhan Ozgur and his team, I have learned so much about Turkish culture, and our collaboration has allowed me to share with them Jamaica’s unique flavor! This cultural exchange has been rewarding, and seeing others experience all that Jamaica has to offer is truly heartening. I am very grateful to our gracious hosts at the Turkish House for facilitating this wonderful event, allowing us the space to share Jamaica with our distinguished guests!” she noted.