The list of nominees for the International Reggae and World Music Awards (IRAWMA) are in and some of the biggest names in the region will be given an award come May 28th.
Last year hottest international Reggae star Gyptian, leads the list of nominees with eight nods, while Soca King Machel Montano and Reggae royalty Damian “Junior Gong” Marley came in second with 7 nominations. Reggae veterans Sly and Robbie received six nominations, while controversial Dancehall deejay Vybz Kartel gained five.
Other nominees include Nicki Minaj, Rihanna, Jah Cure, Beenie Man, Elephant Man, I-Octane, JW and Blaze, Queen Ifrica, Shaggy, Roy Cape, Romain Virgo, Tarrus Riley, Third World, Pitt Bull, Gramps Morgan, Kernel Roberts, Marcia Griffiths among others.
The awards ceremony will be held at the National Academy of the Performing Arts (NAPA), in Port of Spain.
A concert will be held on May 29th at the Queens Park Savannah also in Port Of Spain Trinidad, celebrating the nominees and winners.
President of Martin’s International Ephraim Martin, organisers of the event, said that IRAWMA goes beyond the realm of simply awarding and acknowledging Reggae/Jamaican music.
He notes that the ceremony also continues to recognise the wealth of regional (Caribbean) talent as evidenced by this year’s nominees comprising individuals and acts which represent the Caribbean, African and Latin American Diaspora.
