Eddy Grant: A golden treasure, govt should recognise and bestow him nation’s highest award

By Hon. Jermaine Figueira.MP 

Guyana has a golden treasure, which the government should recognise and bestow the country’s highest national award, the Order of Excellence, on our living musical legend Mr. Eddy Grant.

The name Eddy Grant is a name that has resonated with music enthusiasts across the globe for many years. He is an iconic Guyanese  musician from this part of the globe who has had an indelible impact on the musical world.

On September 7th, 2023, he will be inducted into the Music Hall of Fame, alongside other legends like UB40, Sugar Hill Gang, The Kinks, and more. What a remarkable achievement for him and Guyana.

Eddy Grant’s music career began in the late 1960s when he formed his band, The Equals, one of the United Kingdom’s first racially mixed pop groups where he composed many of their songs and served as the lead vocalist. The band’s music was a fusion of rock, pop, soul, funk african polyrhythm,  reggae, and the ringband genre he helped to pioneered , which made them unique. They released several hit songs like “Baby Come Back” and “Police on My Back,” which were popular in the UK and beyond.

Grant went solo in the 1970s, and his music career reached new heights. He produced hit songs like “Living on the Frontline,” “I Don’t Wanna Dance,” and “Electric Avenue.” The song “Electric Avenue” was a massive hit worldwide and became his signature song. It was a commentary on life in Brixton, London, during the time of riots in 1981. A song which was featured in several films such as Valley Girl, Pineapple Express, Wrong Turn 2: Dead End, and Jackass 3D. It was also featured in Season 1, Episode 14 of the television series 3rd Rock from the Sun, the twentieth season premiere of The Simpsons: “Sex, Pies and Idiot Scrapes,” and the popular sports podcast Pardon My Take.

This musical giant continued to produce music that topped the charts globally, becoming one of Guyana’s most successful musicians of all time.

In 1985, Grant released a song titled “Gimme Hope Jo’anna,” which became an anthem for the Anti-Apartheid movement. The song was a celebration of the imminent end of the notorious apartheid regime in South Africa and ushered in one of the world’s most admired and respected leader. Nelson Mandela. During the apartheid regime, the song was banned in South Africa, and the government considered any public performance of the song illegal. The song made Eddy Grant from the little village of Plaisance on the East Coast, one of the most prominent international icons in the fight against apartheid.

Grant’s influence on music has been significant. His music helped bridge the gap between reggae, rock, funk, and pop music, creating a unique style that has influenced many musicians. He has also been an advocate for preserving Guyana’s music, culture, heritage, and a strong voice for human rights and justice. Through his music, Grant has reinforced Guyana’s place in the international music scene.

Eddy Grant has cemented his place as Guyana’s most influential musical icons and has left an indelible mark in the world and on the music industry globally. His music has been and continues to be enjoyed by millions of people worldwide. He has been an inspiration to many. His induction into the Music Hall of Fame on the 7th of September, 2023, is a testament to his contribution to the music scene and his lasting legacy.  It shows the potential of if only we as a country would make deliberate and wise investments in our artists and athletes, what can be achieved for Guyana.

I am proud of this incredible achievement, and all of Guyana should also be.

Congratulations to our musical legend, Mr. Eddy Grant.