Virgin Islands lawmakers are celebrating native soca icon Dennis “Pumpa” Lennox Leroy Liburd, Jr., by awarding him the official key to the territory and renaming a highway in his honor. Invoice 36-0058, sponsored by Senator Marise James, acknowledges Pumpa for his “many contributions to the Virgin Islands tradition and music business.”
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Talking at Monday’s Committee on Authorities Operations, Veterans Affairs, and Shopper Safety assembly, Sen. James praised Pumpa as “excess of a performer,” highlighting his vitality, self-discipline, and inspirational affect on numerous lives. She famous his dedication, consideration to element, and contagious enthusiasm as qualities which have propelled him to worldwide recognition.
Although born in St. Kitts and Nevis, Pumpa moved to St. Croix as a youngster and has grow to be a self-appointed ambassador for the territory. Sen. James introduced that 6-Y Peters Relaxation Street in Christiansted, an space Pumpa calls “the place it started,” can be renamed in his honor, with plans to boost the highway within the close to future. “This laws ensures that your legacy is enshrined completely in Virgin Islands historical past,” she mentioned.
Buddies and officers echoed the reward. Kai Hendricks, longtime pal of Pumpa, lauded his efforts to advertise the Virgin Islands globally and his dedication to remaining rooted in St. Croix regardless of profession alternatives elsewhere. Ian Turnbull, director of the Division of Festivals, emphasised the symbolic and sensible significance of the important thing to town, noting Pumpa’s position in inspiring younger folks and fostering pleasure in native tradition.
Yohannes Worede, President of the USVI Soccer Federation & Peters Relaxation Flats, mentioned Pumpa embodies the very best of the Virgin Islands, whereas his supervisor, Ushana Khublal, described him as a one-of-a-kind consultant for the territory. Video messages from regional stars, together with Dominica’s Asa Banton, Trinidad and Tobago’s Machel Montano, and USVI’s Bryan “Benny Demus” Boulai added to the star-studded ceremony.
Pumpa, visibly moved, thanked lawmakers and supporters, saying, “Music was birthed in me… I don’t know myself with out music.” He additionally spoke about nurturing the following era of musicians and known as on the federal government to assist artists financially and thru training initiatives. “Reintroducing music applications in faculties could possibly be stunning,” he steered, stressing the financial and cultural position of native artists.
The listening to concluded with widespread admiration and a reminder for the Division of Tourism to make sure that native performers obtain truthful compensation. Pumpa mirrored on the second, saying, “I by no means thought I’d have been alive to witness this stuff… Large up all of the musicians, all of the DJs, the entire leisure physique within the Virgin Islands. This one is for us.”
