Andrew Tosh ADD
IRAWMA’S 40th Anniversary Celebration in Jamaica 2023
04/19/2023 by Press Release
The star-studded 40th Anniversary of the International Reggae and World Music Awards (IRAWMA), with its objective of “Bringing Nations Together Through Music and Culture”, and the theme of “Reggae Rise”, is set for a grand festivity on Sunday, May 7th at the Pegasus Hotel in Kingston, Jamaica.
The voting to select the winners is now over, and some 150 of the reggae and world music industry’s best are competing to receive the coveted IRAWMA honors.
The celebrity red carpet arrival, reception, and Awards showcase will kick off at 6:00 pm, on May 7th with scores of media/press cameras lining up on the red carpet for the spectacular milestone celebration of reggae and world music achievements.
Among some of the special honorees and nominees are: Bounty Killer, Beenie Man, Koffee, Spice, Masicka, Popcaan, Sean Paul, Kabaka Pyramid, Alkaline, Skeng, Valiant, Sizzla, Skillibeng, Eddy Kenzo, Shatta Wale, Gramps Morgan, Romain Virgo, Etana, Christopher Martin, Queen Ifrica, Cherry Natural, Ding Dong, Toni Ann Singh, Capleton, Machel Montano, Patricia Roberts, Shenell Muir, Shaggy, Burna Boy, Bad Bunny, Stick Figure, Dexta Daps, Shenseea, Kevin Downswell, Carlene Davis and others.
According to Dr. Ephraim Martin, Founder and Producer of Martin’s International - IRAWMA, “We have made great efforts to give deserving respect to those who have labored and contributed greatly to the music and culture of Jamaica and those who have contributed to social change in society, not just in Jamaica, but the world.
We are Giving a special honor posthumously, to the late Peter Tosh for his early campaign to legalize marijuana for medical use, and his encouragement for us to start the annual IRAWMA. In a salute to the “Bush Doctor”, as he was famously called, his son, Andrew Tosh will perform a song in his honor.
We are also saluting fifty years of Jamaican Dancehall and its evolution through those years. Winston Powell, whose Stone Love Sound System has been the most consistent dancehall system and has been the ruler for the genre for more than 30 of those years, will be among the honorees. During the Awards ceremony, Stone Love will take us down memory lane in a dancehall exhibition, Jamaican style and will allow celebrities and attendees to shake their legs.
There are several other special awards and salutes that will be witnessed, along with the galaxy of reggae and world music’s best performers, presenters, hosts, and nominees taking the stage to participate and give acceptance speeches at this IRAWMA 40th, “Reggae Rise” celebration”, Dr. Martin concluded.
Due to the limited general, VIP tickets and hotel packages available to the public [Tickets available @ IRAWMA.com], this 40th IRAWMA will be streaming live on YouTube, starting from the red carpet to the Awards ceremony. The IRAWMA will be post-televised nationally in Jamaica and is tentative, set to broadcast on NBC TV and/or CBS TV in Chicago, among other international markets.
Thanks to the endorsement of the Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB), and the support of the Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sports (McGES), Downsound Entertainment (DSE), and VP Records. Also, special thanks go to the category sponsors: Winford Williams-OnStage TV, IrieJam Media/Bridge 99 FM, "Halls of Justice" - Hon. L. Priscilla Hall/Hon. Shelvin L.M. Hall, Truly Inspired Consultant, LLC., 25th Century Radio, Rebel Vibez, Balloons by JakiJade, Dainjah Rus Rebel Muzik, Roc Factory, Alpha Studio, Reggaevibesmedia.com, and Touchstone Productions Ltd, among others.
