ENTITY · PERSON

Olivia 'Babsy' Grange

Well supported

Olivia 'Babsy' Grange, Jamaica's Minister with responsibility for culture and entertainment, who championed the successful 2018 UNESCO bid to inscribe reggae, launched the Jamaica Music Society, and oversees Reggae Month observances.

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At a glance

Type: person
Confidence: Well supported
Era: Open era →

People & rolesSociety, politics & receptionEvents, festivals, clashes & institutions

Connections

In stories

Story · Well supportedReggae becomes 'heritage'

UNESCO's 2018 listing dignified the music worldwide - and started an argument about freezing a living culture.

Story · Well supportedWomen behind the boards and the business

Producers, executives and one dancer whose stand-off with a promoter opened a stage to Rastafarian drumming -- the women who ran the business side of Jamaican music.

Debate & reception

How people argued about the music — praise, criticism and public debate. See all debate & reception →

commentary

Does inscription reach the artists? Recognition versus livelihoods

Two views on the practical impact of UNESCO recognition: some hold the symbolic dignity is real, overdue and useful for cultural policy; others note it did little directly for working musicians' pay in an era shaped more by streaming economics than by heritage listings. Sources: Jamaica Gleaner; Afropop Worldwide; DancehallMag.

Stance: meaningful symbolic recognition vs little direct effect on livelihoods