PM Browne to Recommend Burning Flames for Knighthood
Prime Minister Gaston Browne has announced plans to recommend the members of Antigua and Barbuda’s iconic soca band, Burning Flames, for knighthoods during the country’s next Independence celebrations.
Speaking on Pointe FM, Browne said the four musicians deserved the nation’s highest recognition for their role in shaping Antigua and Barbuda’s cultural identity and carrying local music to international audiences.
“The Burning Flames 4 … we’re going to recommend them for a knighthood at our next Independence. I hope the Honours Committee will see it fitting to bestow upon them a knighthood, each of them. Just like Sir Maclean and Swallow as well as Obstie, they really helped to carry the art form,” he said.
The Prime Minister placed Burning Flames alongside some of the country’s most celebrated artists, including Sir McLean Emanuel, better known as King Short Shirt, and the late Sir Rupert “Swallow” Philo.
Founded in the 1980s, Burning Flames transformed the sound of soca in Antigua and the wider Caribbean with electrifying performances and hits that pushed the boundaries of the genre. Their influence, Browne noted, extended “beyond the diaspora,” cementing their place as pioneers of modern Caribbean music.
If approved by the Honours Committee, the award would see all four members of the band receive knighthoods — a move likely to be celebrated across the region as recognition of their lasting contribution to Caribbean culture.
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Well deserved. Time also to honour Shelley Tobitt for his musical contributions. Without Shelley, there would be no Short Shirt.
Well deserved. Congratulations in advance to the Burning Flames.
@ Musicology: Well said….!
It concerns me as why many song writers are left in the dark when they are the pillars of many renowned artists
Why a “colonial” award, and not an Antiguan one that’s much more relevant for Burning Flames?
All these silly awards are just to keep the status quo of deference, kowtowing and bowing and scraping to a monarchy that stole, enslaved, murdered and suppressed people of colour
Sadly, too many Caribbean leaders still have a “house n%g#o” mentality that is so out of touch with those of us who know and understand our enslaved historical past – Antigua’s hero Prince Klass must be spinning in his grave.
WHAT IS WRONG WITH US???
Burning Flames had a highway named in their honor and now they are going to be knighted, no problem, well deserved; just wondering who in Piggotts, New Winthorpes/Barnes Hill will be next. Mooma!
I am always delighted when renowned and outstanding sons and daughters are recognized and given the country’s highest award. There is very little else that can be said about the Burning Flames that has not been already said. They are truly outstanding!
I am not so much concerned about the Burning Flames as I am about the process used to honour and recognize outstanding Antiguans and Barbudans. Our national honors and awards scheme must be operated according to established criteria. The system must have an institutionalized and structured system and criteria that makes it predictable and enable people to feel confident in the selection process. Knighthood must count for something. Over the years we have knighted cricketers, politicians, ambassadors and more, some of whom we still don’t know what was their claim to fame, like our US Ambassador. That some of these people can be carrying the same knighthood like our Father of the Nation, the most Honourable VC Bird and Sir Vivian Richards beats me. We can give different levels of recognition to great Nation builders but we should never allow such recognition to dilute that of our true heroes as seem to be happening these days.
@Brixtonian well said.
Colonialism continues….
Just can’t wait to greet my friend as Sir Krokus