Born on December 2, 1960 in the village of Barranco, Toledo District, Andy Vivian Palacio was more than a musician — he was the voice of a people. He grew up immersed in traditional Garifuna culture, and after working as a teacher and participating in a literacy campaign in Nicaragua, he returned to Belize with a fire to save his culture.

He joined the legendary Turtle Shell Band after Pen Cayetano, and his star rose quickly. He won Best New Artist at the Caribbean Music Awards in 1991 — the first Belizean artist to achieve international music recognition. He was appointed Belize's Cultural Ambassador and Deputy Administrator of the National Institute of Culture and History in 2004.

His masterpiece — the album Wátina (2007), recorded with The Garifuna Collective — became one of the most celebrated world music albums ever made. It won the WOMEX Award and earned Andy the designation of UNESCO Artist for Peace — the first Caribbean and Central American artist to receive this honour.

Andy Palacio died on January 19, 2008 at age 47 following a stroke. Belize wept. The world felt the loss. His music lives forever.

Born Alfonso Palacio on January 26, 1928 in Punta Gorda, Belize, Paul Nabor — known to all as "Nabi" — was a man who lived many lives. He worked banana plantations, mahogany camps, and as a chiclero before dedicating himself to music. He taught himself guitar and began composing his own Garifuna paranda songs at just 18 years old.

Nabi was not just a musician — he was a Buyei, a Garifuna spiritual healer and temple leader. He built and led a Garifuna temple in Punta Gorda, providing spiritual comfort to his community until the end of his life. He was also a sailor, boxer (the name "Nabor" came from his boxing days), fisherman who built his own dugout dory, and a man of legendary storytelling.

His most famous song, "Naguya Nei" (I Am Moving On), written in memory of his deceased sister, became a Garifuna anthem. He featured on Andy Palacio's final album Wátina (2007) and gained international recognition late in life. The Belizean government gave him an official state funeral when he died on October 22, 2014 at age 86 — carried on the shoulders of the Belize Defence Force.

Born in Dangriga in 1954, Delvin "Pen" Cayetano MBE is the man who invented Punta Rock — the most popular music genre to come out of Belize. In 1978, he witnessed young Garifuna losing connection with their culture at a ceremony honoring pioneer Thomas Vincent Ramos. He went home and created something new.

In 1979–1980, Pen formed the Original Turtle Shell Band — adding electric guitars and turtle shell percussion to traditional Garifuna punta rhythms, creating a modern, youth-facing sound. In 1983, The Turtle Shell Band performed at the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival — taking Belizean music to the world stage for the first time.

Pen is also a celebrated painter whose artwork hangs in galleries and institutions worldwide. He received the Garifuna Music Lifetime Achievement Award in 2018. He is living proof that one person's love for their culture can change the world.

Co-founded and led by Andy Palacio, The Garifuna Collective is a multigenerational group of Garifuna musicians from Belize, Guatemala, and Honduras who continue to carry the flame. Their landmark album Wátina (2007), produced by Ivan Duran at Stonetree Records, featured the great Paul Nabor and became one of the most critically acclaimed world music albums ever recorded.

After Andy Palacio's passing, The Garifuna Collective continues to tour and record in his memory, performing at venues worldwide and keeping Garifuna language, music, and spirituality alive for new generations.