VP Matriarch Pat Chin Marks 85th Birthday, Provides Scholarships To Two Students
Today, VP Records’ co-founder Patricia ‘Miss Pat’ Chin is celebrating her 85th birthday. Her contribution to the longevity of ska, rocksteady, dub and reggae is undoubtable—but so is her spirit of altruism.
During Miss Pat’s week-long trip to Jamaica in late August, she provided financial assistance to the Alpha Institute, formerly Alpha Boys Home, in Kingston which has contributed significantly to the musical legacy of Jamaica.
Two students at the Alpha Institute—Teain Henry and Ashane Robertson—received scholarships that will cover their studies.
Margaret Little Wilson, senior administrator at the Alpha School of Music, thanked Miss Pat and VP Records for their continued support.
“When you look around and you see the wonderful developments at Alpha and the start of the Alpha School of Music, we cannot forget that VP Records and the International Reggae Poster Contest were here in this very same spot when the courtyard was a dust-bowl, the walls were blank and students left the trade programme to an uncertain future. I am so proud that we are here today celebrating Alpha trade students whose future is looking bright, thanks to their hard work and the generous continued support of VP Records,” she said.
Teain Henry, who will pursue an associate degree in music, entered the Alpha programme as a woodworker, but discovered his love for the saxophone and trombone through regular visits to the music department.
He was also gracious in thanking his benefactors.
“This scholarship means a lot to me because without it I would not know how to fund my education. The scholarship is a life-changer, to be honest. I am proud of what I have been able to accomplish so far at Alpha, especially when the Alpha band was awarded Most Improved Band at the Best School Band Competition. I want to keep improving and Alpha and VP are giving me a chance to do that. I am a proud Alpha School of Music student. Thank you!” Henry said.
The Alpha Institute is the bedrock of Jamaican music, having produced numerous musicians who were pivotal to the development of ska, rock steady and reggae.
Chin’s book, Miss Pat: My Reggae Music Journey was released in March 2021 through VP Music Group. The 209-page, photo-filled memoir written by Anicee Gaddis, John Masouri, Alex Lee and James ‘Jazz’ Goring recalls her 64-year career in the music industry as a parent, wife and businesswoman.
It records the rise and development of the famous Randy’s Record Mart and Studio 17, both of which Miss Pat co-founded with her late husband Vincent ‘Randy’ Chin in downtown Kingston.
VP Records took to Instagram to wish Miss Chin a happy birthday, and hail the musical stalwart for her infinite contribution to the industry.
Established in 1979, VP Records is currently the world’s largest independent label, distributor, and publisher of reggae and dancehall music, controlling more than 30,000 song titles. It’s now run by the immigrants’ three sons with offices in New York, Miami, Tokyo, London and Jamaica, and annual grosses in excess of $10 million. The impressive list of VP artists and alumni includes Buju Banton, Beres Hammond, Shaggy, Sean Paul, Maxi Priest, Marcia Griffiths, Elephant Man, Wayne Wonder and Lady Saw.