Patricia “Miss Pat” Chin is a legendary figure in reggae music and an iconic Jamaican entrepreneur, best known as the co-founder of VP Records – the world’s largest independent reggae record label. With a career spanning six decades, Mrs. Chin’s influence on the global spread of Jamaican music is unparalleled. In 1977, together with her late husband Vincent “Randy” Chin, she established VP Records in Jamaica, Queens, New York, after emigrating from Kingston, Jamaica in the mid-1970s. This bold move built upon their earlier success operating Randy’s Record Mart and the Studio 17 recording studio in Kingston, where they had nurtured the early careers of reggae legends like Bob Marley, Peter Tosh, and Gregory Isaacs. Today, VP Records is an empire with offices in New York, Miami, and London, credited with bringing reggae, dancehall, and soca music to mainstream audiences worldwide. From superstars such as Beenie Man and Sean Paul to countless emerging artists, “Miss Pat” has been instrumental in introducing and giving prominence to new reggae talent on the international stage.
An immigrant success story, Patricia Chin’s journey reflects resilience, vision, and an unwavering love for Jamaican culture. Born in Kingston to a Chinese-Indian Jamaican family, she grew up in the Greenwich Farm community and entered the music business in 1958 alongside her husband, selling discarded jukebox records – an entrepreneurial venture that blossomed into their first record shop. After relocating to the United States, the Chins’ family-run VP Records (named after Vincent and Pat) became the cornerstone of reggae music distribution globally. Miss Pat’s business acumen and cultural advocacy helped reggae evolve from a local sound into a global genre known as the “heartbeat of the world”. Jamaican Ambassador Audrey Marks noted that any credible study of reggae’s history will reveal Mrs. Chin’s “remarkable contribution” to the music’s growth in Jamaica and across the globe. Indeed, many of the reggae and dancehall stars who achieved international fame in the 1980s and 1990s – from Shabba Ranks to Shaggy – did so under VP Records’ guidance, with Miss Pat at the helm nurturing their careers.
Beyond her role as a music executive, Patricia Chin has been a tireless cultural ambassador and philanthropist. She has always maintained strong ties to Jamaica, even after 35+ years abroad, famously declaring, “I never forget Jamaica. We have reggae music and the best culture in the world”. Her love of country and community is evident in her charitable work. Mrs. Chin established the Vincent and Pat Chin Foundation, which supports music education in Jamaica and the Jamaican diaspora, and works to preserve the history of reggae and Caribbean music. Through this foundation, as well as personal initiatives, she has donated instruments, funded music programs, and supported institutions like the Alpha Boys School in Kingston – the historic music school that produced ska and reggae pioneers. Proceeds from her 2021 memoir Miss Pat: My Reggae Music Journey were pledged to music education and to improving facilities at the Alpha Institute in Jamaica. For her humanitarian efforts, she received the International Humanitarian Award at the American Friends of Jamaica’s Hummingbird Gala in 2018, underscoring her commitment to giving back to the island that inspired her life’s work.
Patricia Chin’s contributions to culture have been recognized at the highest levels. In 2024, during Jamaica’s 62nd Independence celebrations, she was honored with the national Reggae Icon Award, standing proudly alongside the Jamaican Prime Minister as she received the award at Kingston’s National Stadium. This award acknowledged her pivotal role in bringing Jamaican music to the world and her decades of dedication to the industry’s growth. Miss Pat has also been honored by the International Reggae and World Music Awards (IRAWMA) for her contributions, and by academic institutions like Medgar Evers College in New York for her leadership and community service. Now, at the 2025 Independence Gala, she will receive a Lifetime Achievement Award celebrating her work as a reggae pioneer and co-founder of VP Records. This honor highlights how her vision and entrepreneurial spirit have indelibly shaped Jamaican music and culture.
Even in her 80s, Miss Pat remains a vibrant force. Colleagues affectionately refer to her as the “Matriarch of Reggae” and the “Godmother” of an entire genre, titles earned through her nurturing of artists and steadfast advocacy for reggae’s global recognition. She continues to mentor young artists and engage in industry events, often emphasizing the importance of preserving Jamaica’s musical heritage for future generations. In her own words, “My heart is always back home in Jamaica… I’m a true Jamaican, and I love my community and my culture”. Her life exemplifies the power of cultural entrepreneurship – transforming a local art form into an international movement while uplifting others along the way. Patricia “Miss Pat” Chin’s enduring impact on music and her charitable endeavors have not only preserved Jamaica’s reggae legacy but also opened doors for countless artists. Her story of humble beginnings, hard work, and heartfelt dedication continues to inspire Jamaicans at home and across the diaspora, making her a truly deserving honoree whose legacy will resonate for generations to come.