A special moment in reggae history unfolded last Friday (May 1) at the VP Records Retail Store as Ms. Pat Chin of VP Records was presented with the 2026 New York State Senate Empire Award by State Senator Toby Ann Stavisky of the 11th District.
The honor recognized VP Records’ outstanding contributions to music, culture, and the Caribbean community, along with its lasting impact on New York State. For decades, Ms. Pat and the VP Records Music family have helped carry reggae and dancehall from Kingston’s sound systems to the global stage, preserving the heartbeat of Jamaican music one record at a time.
Inside the Jamaica, Queens retail store, surrounded by reggae history and community supporters, the presentation served as a reminder that the culture built in small record shops can echo across the world.(Planet Reggae)
