RADIO broadcaster Ken Williams and music producer Phillip Smart are among those who will be honoured at this year’s staging of Irie Fashion Rave scheduled to be held at the Resort World Casino in Queens, New York, on April 28.

Organiser Syn Dawkins of New York-based media group Irie Jam VP, said Smart has been a prolific producer who could be considered one of the most successful reggae producers here in the diaspora.

Syn Dawkins of the New York based media group Irie Jam which is organising the event.

“One only has to look at the long list of accomplished acts that he has worked with over the years to understand the impact he has had on the industry. His HC&F Recording Studio in Long Island, which he ran for many years was responsible for some of the biggest hit songs coming out of New York,” she told the Jamaica Observer.

Of Ken Williams she said: “He was a successful radio host and programme Director at WLIB/1190AM for many years until he left to explore other opportunities in broadcasting at WNWK and more recently at WVIP 93.5FM. It came as no surprise that he has now moved back home to Jamaica where he is utilising the skills he honed in the diaspora as general manager of HOT 102 FM in Kingston.”

With fashion being a huge part of the event, Dawkins says Williams was also heavily involved in the fashion industry, having founded the Miss Jamaica USA beauty Pageant that for the past two decades has provided a platform for many aspiring models to launch their careers.