In an official statement the University of the Virgin Islands announced its selection for honorary doctorate degrees.
The statement said, “The University of the Virgin Islands will bestow honorary degrees on Theron Thomas and Timothy Thomas, recording industry celebrities known professionally as “Rock City,” and Virgin Islands Election System Supervisor Caroline Fawkes, an aviation trailblazer, at UVI’s 60th Commencement Ceremonies on May 9, and 10, at its St. Thomas and St. Croix campuses, respectively.”
Hailing from St. Thomas, Theron and Timothy are the dynamic sibling duo known as “R. City” or “Rock City.” Their music, a vibrant fusion of Caribbean influences with hip-hop, rap, and R&B, echoes their journey from a small island to international acclaim. Born into a musically inclined family, the Thomas brothers honed their craft from a young age, driven by a shared passion for music and storytelling.
Their professional journey began in the mid-2000s, initially gaining recognition in the Virgin Islands as performers and as prolific songwriters. R. City’s lyrical prowess caught the attention of industry heavyweights, leading to collaborations with some of the world’s leading recording artists. Their songwriting accolades include the chart-topping hit “Pour It Up” for Rihanna, “Run Away Love” for Justin Bieber, “I’m Out” for Ciara and “We Can’t Stop” for Miley Cyrus, showcasing their versatility and knack for creating hits that resonate across diverse audiences.
In 2015, R. City released their debut album, “What Dreams Are Made Of,” which featured the platinum single “Locked Away” featuring Maroon 5’s Adam Levine. This track catapulted them into the spotlight, highlighting not only their songwriting skills but also their vocal talent and charisma as performers. The song’s success on global charts marked a significant milestone in their career, solidifying their status as influential figures in the music industry. In 2022, Theron earned seven Grammy nominations including Best Melodic Rap Performance with Latto’s hit record “Big Energy”. At the 66th Annual Grammy Awards, held in Los Angeles in February 2024, Theron was crowned Songwriter of the Year, Non-Classical for his work with various artists including Lizzo, Tyla, Chris Brown and others throughout 2023.
Beyond their professional achievements, Theron and Timothy, who were presented with the U.S. Virgin Islands Keys to the City by the Virgin Islands Legislature in 2016, remain deeply connected to their roots in the Virgin Islands and champion the Territory’s beauty and uniqueness wherever they go.
Theron and Timothy will both be presented with honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degrees at UVI’s Commencement Ceremony on St. Thomas.
In response to the announcement in a social media post Theron said, “What a year me and my team have been having. First song writer of the year at the Grammy’s, then me and my brother get honorary doctorate degrees from the University of the Virgin Islands. to god be the glory. Only thing missing is our father, wish he was here to this. DR. THOMAS! Wow!