Lauderhill honors reggae artists for hurricane relief, proclaims Reggae Month
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Summary
Lauderhill presented humanitarian-ambassador proclamations to reggae artists Busy Signal, Beenie Man, Spragga Benz, Vibes Cartel and Wayne Wonder for relief work in Jamaica and proclaimed February 2026 as International Reggae Month. Elected officials and Jamaica’s consul general highlighted regional aid totals and volunteer efforts.
Lauderhill’s City Commission on Feb. 23 honored five reggae artists for their humanitarian work after Hurricane Melissa, presenting proclamations and county and congressional tributes during an extended Reggae Month celebration.
Mayor Denise Grant opened the ceremony by framing the recognitions as acknowledgment of "humanitarian efforts" beyond the artists’ musical careers and saying the city had vetted footage of relief activity. "We are honoring these great men who used their influence and artistry to give back to a nation in need," she said.
The event named Busy Signal (Rizano Devin Gordon), Moses Anthony Davis (Beanie Man), Spragga Benz, Vibes Cartel and Wayne Wonder as 2026 humanitarian ambassadors. Oliver Merr, consul general of Jamaica, said regional volunteers and artists rapidly mobilized after the storm and credited large fundraising and logistics efforts: "Within two days we had over 60 drop-off points and, in this region alone, more than $30,000,000 in aid has come forward," he said.
A Food for the Poor representative described the on-the-ground response: the organization sent hundreds of containers to Jamaica and, he said, mobilized volunteers who raised substantial funds and packed shipments. The chaplain singled out Spragga Benz for daily hands-on packing, calling him “humble” and “servitude heart.”
Several elected officials addressed the chamber. Broward County Commissioner Hazel P. Rogers and County Commissioner Alexandra Davis praised the cultural and civic ties between Lauderhill and the Caribbean community. State Representative Lisa Dunkley and State Representative Daryl Campbell (joining by video) offered remarks of support, and a congressional staffer presented proclamations from the U.S. House office for the honorees.
Busy Signal, accepting his proclamation, described responding immediately after the hurricane and called the recognition "humbling": "To be honored this way is a pleasure," he said, "we just wanted to get things going and help people in need." Other honorees also thanked the city and briefed the commission on volunteer efforts and logistics.
The mayor emphasized the humanitarian framing of the awards, saying the city celebrated the artists "not just for their music" but for mobilizing volunteers, raising funds and delivering aid. The commission and visiting officials posed for group photos and presented keys and proclamations from county and state offices.
Next steps: the commission closed the presentation portion of the meeting and resumed its regular agenda business, which included votes on local policy and budget items.
