Episode 59: Patricia Chin

Her name may be Patricia Chin, however, to anyone in or around the music business, she is Miss Pat.

Miss Pat, has childhood memories of running behind her mom and dad as they rode their bike to the movies in Jamaica. In those days she says, her mother and father could not afford to take the entire family to the cinema. She and her siblings could only dream about the adventures portrayed on screen. Years on, Miss Pat’s company’s name would appear on the marquee of the world-famous Radio Music Hall in New York City. The little girl who could not afford to attend the show, would eventually create the show.

Miss Pat and her husband the late Vincent “Randy” Chin came from humble beginnings, but they both had big dreams. Armed with a relentless work ethic and a knack for business, they took the road less travelled and decided to sell music. They sold all of the popular pop and R&B records of the day.  However, they took it a step further. At a time when radio stations in Jamaica did not support reggae music, the Chin’s opened a studio and started to record and press the sounds of Jamaica as they evolved and defined the culture.

What started out as Randy’s Records in Jamaica evolved into VP Records. The store, the label and the distribution company. After more than 40 years of VP Records introducing the world to reggae and dancehall’s top artists and solidifying deals with major American labels, Miss Pat sits on her throne as the reigning monarch of Caribbean music business.

With new initiatives to push Caribbean music into more spaces and a newly published book about her life’s journey, Miss Pat is showing no signs of slowing down.

This is the story… Thus far… Of Patricia Chin. Miss Pat.