National Merri Music Day, officially designated on October 25, 2022, honours the legacy of Jamaica’s pioneering Merritone Music sound system, founded by Valentine “Val” Blake in Morant Bay, St. Thomas. Celebrated annually on Blake’s birthday, the day recognises the profound influence of Jamaican sound-system culture on global music traditions. In 2025, the observance marks Merritone’s 75th anniversary under the theme “75 Years of Sound – Honouring the Past, Amplifying the Future.”
