Moodie, who was born in Papine, Kingston, migrated to the US in 1969, hoping to achieve the American dream. He began his musical journey as the lead singer of the reggae band The Stepping Stones, and later worked at Brad’s Records – another influential Jamaican-owned shop in the Bronx. He eventually opened his own store, carving out a space that blended commerce, culture, and care. “Mr Earl Moodie built the pipeline that carried reggae music from Jamaica to New York City and beyond through Moodies Records. Honouring this champion from the Bronx in this way is not just about marking a street ... it’s about marking history. It’s about recognising the impact of those who often work behind the scenes to uplift our people, celebrate our roots, and building bridges for future generations,” said Syntyche ‘Syn’ Clarke, VP of New York’s Irie Jam radio. In New York, Moodie’s Records, alongside pioneers like VP Records, Tony Ryan Records, Superpower Records, Jah Life and Keeling Records, became synonymous with New York’s Caribbean community. These stores helped to launch the careers of artistes like Barrington Levy, Eek A Mouse, Beres Hammond, Lt Stitchie, Bounty Killer, Beenie Man, Shabba Ranks, Super Cat, Dennis Brown and Freddie McGregor. The store was a one-stop for artistes’ autograph signing sessions and release events. Moodies also supported local New York reggae/dancehall acts like Shelly Thunder, Shaggy, Trevor Sparks, Red Fox, Mr Easy and Sister Nancy when they dropped new releases. With the shift from vinyl records, Moodies weathered the digital shift that closed many of his peers’ shops. Even as the industry transformed, Moodie held fast to its mission: ‘Music is life.’ Moodie passed away on September 17, 2021, at the age of 69, after a period of illness. His passing marked the end of an era, but not the end of his legacy.