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IRAWMA to reveal nominees March 23

Published:Sunday | March 21, 2021 | 12:24 AM
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Busy Signal (centre) poses with his Dancehall Artiste of the Decade Award alongside IRAWMA organiser Ephraim Martin (left) and host Winford Williams.
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Busy Signal (centre) poses with his Dancehall Artiste of the Decade Award alongside IRAWMA organiser Ephraim Martin (left) and host Winford Williams.
Dennis Al Capone performs at IRAWMA 2020 media launch.
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Dennis Al Capone performs at IRAWMA 2020 media launch.
Papa Michigan makes an impact at IRAWMA 2020 media launch.
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Papa Michigan makes an impact at IRAWMA 2020 media launch.
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On Tuesday, the International Reggae and World Music Awards (IRAWMA) will hold a nomination press conference to reveal nominees for the 39th award.

The virtual conference, hosted by multi-IRAWMA winner/nominee and Grammy winner, Gramps Morgan, is slated to kick off at 7 p.m. Jamaica time. It will be aired live on IRIE FM and live-streamed on www.irawma.com.

IRAWMA President Ephraim Martin, past nominees, music industry insiders and corporate sponsors will reveal the best of 2020. Martin shared that, “More than 100 music industry experts have already submitted their choices in some 30 categories. Voting by industry professionals closed at midnight on March 20, 2021.”

Voting by fans will open immediately following the press conference, with the full list of nominees published on www.irawma.com.

Last year, the event was scaled down in compliance with the Government of Jamaica’s COVID-19 protocols. Buju Banton, Busy Signal, and Koffee were the top winners at the online event. Buju took home seven awards, including The Marcus Garvey Humanitarian Award; Best R&B/Hip Hop collaboration for Holy Mountain featuring DJ Khaled; Best Dancehall Statgecraft Entertainer; Most Cultural/Educational Entertainer and Best Caribbean Entertainer. He tied with Beenie Man for this last award.

Buju Banton’s Til Shiloh Band received the Most Outstanding Show Band, and his Long Walk To Freedom concert, his first following a 10-year prison sentence, was named Concert of the Year.

Koffee received four awards, including Best Female Vocalist, Best Song for Toast, Best Album ( Rapture) and Best Music Video for Toast.

Busy Signal, received the Dancehall Artiste of the Decade award. Freddie McGregor was named Most Consistent Entertainer; Stone Love was voted Best Sound System, and Dig Dong and Ravers Clavers won for Most Outstanding Dance Group.

Popcaan got the Emperor of Reggae and World Music Bob Marley award for being the Best Entertainer of the Year, while Spice won the Best Female Deejay awardee.

The mission of the IRAWMA, established in 1982, is to acknowledge and honour the accomplishments and contributions of reggae and world music artistes, including songwriters, performers, promoters and musicians.

Produced by Martin’s International , the IRAWMA has been staged in many major cities including Atlanta, Chicago, Fort Lauderdale, Miami, New Orleans, New York as well as Port of Spain, Trinidad, and both Montego Bay and Ocho Rios in Jamaica.

IRAWMA is committed to promoting greater participation and acceptance of reggae, Caribbean and world music, internationally.