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LOCAL Psalmist, Samuel Medas made history last Saturday night in the Bahamas when he became the first Guyanese to win a prestigious Caribbean Gospel Music Marlin Award.
Medas topped a group of five other singers — namely Jamaica’s Adiel Thomas & Ministry; BVI’s Gabrielle Denae; Barbados’ Gozzy; St. Maarten’s Shawn J; and Bahamas’ Kem Gardiner — to take the coveted “New Artiste of the Year” award.

This marks Medas’ biggest recognition to date, with the Marlin Awards being touted as “The Grammys” of the Caribbean gospel music industry.
Medas was also nominated in six other categories, including ‘Album of the Year’, which ultimately went to Trinidad’s Positive for his album, “Stand and Be Counted”, which even prevailed over Papa San’s “One Love”, one of a total of 12 entries in this category.
Positive and Medas were also nominated for the “Calypso/Soca Vocal Performance of the Year Duo-Group” award for their collaboration on “They Don’t Know” on Medas’ Ink of Intimacy” album.
Medas fully understands what the award means, as it’s not only in recognition of himself, but also for the local music industry, thereby signalling that Guyana has indeed come a long way.

‘VERY HONOURED’
“I feel very honoured to be able to bring it home for my country,” the 28-year-old told The Buzz earlier this week.
“My people, take a moment and realise that in spite of our struggles as a nation presently, Guyana has some of the best, most clean-hearted and uplifting souls found anywhere on this earth.”
The award adds to the local ‘Best Male Gospel Artist’ award that he picked up at the Guyana International Music Awards presentation ceremony that was held early last year.
Medas has dedicated his Marlin Award to all his supporters who have been there for him throughout the years, through thick and thin.
“Thank you for the love and support; I almost cry when I think of it,” Medas posted on his Facebook page moments after receiving the award.
“Thank you to my friends and family who’ve supported me all these years. I dare not call names ‘cause yall are many. But to my immediate circle — my wife, my band, singers, production team — this award is dedicated to you. Only you know how disgustin’ I am.”
MORE ACCOLADES
The recognition continued for Medas on Thursday, when he was further honoured by the Gizmos and Gadgets family at a small ceremony at their Glamour Designer Brands boutique on Wellington Street, in the presence of other local music artistes, including Kester D, and Shawn English.
CEO of iRide, and Gizmos and Gadgets representative, Melissa Davy was very excited to be paying homage to Medas, toasting to his honour, and joking that the first time she heard a Medas track on radio, she was so bowled over she thought it was a foreign singer on the local airwaves.

“The first time I heard Samuel, I really thought it was some foreign artiste,” Davy said, adding:
“But you don’t have to be foreign to sound good. Guyanese artistes and singers, have confidence in yourself! Have confidence in your product! We are not inferior to anybody from any other territory; we can get awards!”
As she went on to say, “No Guyanese has ever won the Marlin Awards, and Sammy just went and tore it up as the best new artiste.
“Today, we are extremely proud of him, we’re happy for him and we want to celebrate with him, we couldn’t wait to honour him.”