Andy Palacio
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Andy Vivian Palacio (December 2, 1960 – January 19, 2008) was a Belizean Punta musician and government official. He was also a leading activist for the Garínagu and their culture.
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[edit] Biography
Palacio was born and raised in the coastal village of Barranco[1] and worked briefly as a teacher before turning to music. He sang mainly in Garifuna, an Arawakan language with a large number of words borrowed from Carib, French, and Spanish, but also composed English-only songs. He was the first musical artist from Belize to have a music video on international television. He received the award for "Best New Artist" at the Caribbean Music Awards in 1991, and was post-humously awarded the BBC3 Awards for World Music award in the Americas Category, in 2008.[2]
[edit] Contributions to Belizean music and media
Palacio later served as a head of the National Institute of Culture and History and was named a cultural ambassador. He released over five original albums beginning with Nabi in 1990. He also traveled widely promoting and performing his music.
Palacio briefly hosted a television program on Channel 5 named after him and featuring works from Belizeans. He also wrote the theme music for Channel 5's newscast.
On March 14, 2007, Palacio released his last studio album, Watina, which he considered his masterpiece. The album features guest appearances from other prominent Garifuna artists including Paul Nabor and is produced by Stonetree Records.
He also shared the 2007 WOMEX Award with his producer, Ivan Duran, of Stonetree Records.
[edit] Critical illness and death
On January 17, 2008, Palacio suddenly fell ill with two apparent "stroke-like seizures." According to a press release from Stonetree Records he died in Belize at 21:00 hours on January 19 of "a massive and extensive stroke to the brain, a heart attack and respiratory failure." [3]
Fellow Belizean musician Oral Fuentes, a friend was reported as saying in response to his death "I am indeed very sad to hear the news of Andy passing. I've known Andy for years... as a fellow Belizean I feel the pain. Belize has indeed lost a Hero. [1]
