BUNNY Rugs, lead singer of reggae band Third World, is among two other Jamaicans to be honoured by the organisers of the Caribbean American Heritage (CARAH) Awards in Washington, DC on Friday.

He will be presented with an Outstanding Contribution to Reggae Award at the CARAH Awards Gala scheduled for the Capitol Hilton Hotel, New York.

Jazz musician Monty Alexander and Calabash literary festival founder Colin Channer will be present with a Luminary Award and Excellence In Literature Award, respectively.

"I feel elated at being selected for the honour," Bunny Rugs told the Jamaica Observer.

Claire A Nelson — founder/president of Institute of Caribbean Studies, event organisers — said William 'Bunny Rugs' Clarke held the distinguished position of being one of reggae's most illustrious balladeer ambassadors.

Migrating to America from Jamaica in 1968, Bunny Rugs joined Third World in 1976. He has sung on all expect the group's debut self-titled album.

The CARAH Awards were started in 1994 by the Institute of Caribbean Studies to laud Caribbean immigrants' contributions to America. Also honoured are Friends of the Caribbean, whose work contribute to the well-being and welfare of the regional peoples.