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40th International Reggae & World Music Awards - Nominees & Special Honorees Revealed

03/15/2023 by Press Release

Martin’s International, producer of the International Reggae and World Music Awards (IRAWMA), revealed at a live streamed media press conference on Thursday, March 9th, some 135 nominees vying in thirty-two categories, to take home the best of the 2021/22 Awards.

Dr. Ephraim Martin, President & Producer of IRAWMA led the conference and announced that the 40th Anniversary of IRAWMA, under the theme of “Reggae Rise”, will be a salute to Dancehall music and its monumental contribution to the evolution of Jamaican music over the last fifty years. This 40th ceremony will be held on Sunday, May 7th, 2023, at the Pegasus Hotel in Kingston, Jamaica.

It was revealed that twenty-one special music industry and media representatives will be honored this year. Among the awardees are; Dynasty Award to the world’s oldest newspaper, the Jamaica Daily Gleaner, now publishing over 189 consecutive years, Mr. Desmond Allen, OD (Journalist 50 years), the founding Editor of the Jamaica Observer, Julian Schmidt (Germany) founder of Reggaeville, one of the most popular reggae focused digital media platforms, California based Kaati Gaffney for RBA Publishing, and Bobby Clark and Lou Grant of Irie Jam Media & Bridge FM Radio based in both New York and Jamaica.

Hon. Minister Olivia “Babsy” Grange, OJ (50+ years), Josef Bogdanovich, Usain Bolt, Copeland Forbes, OD (60 years), Marcia Griffiths (60 years), Freddie McGregor (60 years), Beres Hammond (40 years), Stone Love (50 years), and Ms. Pat Chin – VP Records Co-founder (60+ years) are all recipients of special Honour Awards in the areas of humanitarian contributions, philanthropy and the overall development and growth of Jamaican music and culture. Peter Tosh will be awarded posthumously, for his work in the Global Legalization of Medical Marijuana.

In addition to the nominations and special awardees several Inductees to the IRAWMA Hall of Fame and Lifetime Achievement Award were announced. These included Beenie Man and Bounty Killer for untiring and extraordinary contributions to reggae music internationally, for 40 years and 30 years respectively.

Sharon Burke was awarded an IRAWMA Lifetime Achievement Award for Extraordinary Contributions to the Reggae Music Industry over the Decades, Mutabaruka for five Decades of Extraordinary Contributions to Jamaica and the African Diaspora, worldwide, and Yasmine Peru for over 30 years of contributions to entertainment Journalism.

Among the leading nominees for this 40th IRAWMA are: Koffee with seven nods, Masicka, Popcaan, and Spice six each. Ding Dong, Gramps Morgan, and Sean Paul for four. Buju Banton, Capleton, Damian Marley, Dexta Daps, DJ Khaled, Kabaka Pyramid, Shaggy, Sizzla, Skeng, and Skillibeng three each. Running up with two nods each are: Burna Bwoy, Etana, Govana, Jada Kingdom, Queen Ifrica, Shanell Muir, Shenseea, Tarrus Riley, and Valiant. Scores of other nominees received one nod.

Among the announcers revealing the nominees and special honorees were Africa/Ghana Dancehall Star Shatta Wale, Copeland Forbes, Gospel Artist and host Dr. Sharon Wiles, Ephraim Martin, Donna Roc, Carrie Mullings, Marcia McDonough, Courtney Campbell, and others.

A full list of nominees, special awardees and categories of awards can be seen on irawma.com. Voting is now open to the public at irawma.com, only one vote per person is allowed. Any attempted duplication of vote will void your vote and it will not be counted.

IRAWMA is made possible through generous contributions and support from The Ministry of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport (MCGES), DSE (Downsound Records), VP Records, and Irie Jam Media/Bridge FM Radio. Also: The Halls of Justice” - Hon. L. Priscilla Hall/Hon. Shelvin L.M. Hall, Onstage TV, Rebel Vibez, Alpha Studios, 5th Century Radio, Express Media, Roc Factory, Balloons by Jaki Jade, Dainjah Rus Rebel Muzik and other category sponsors.

“We are coming out of the global pandemic, and need the support of the music industry, other businesses, and individuals to sponsor a category in their honor, and/or to make a tax-deductible donation to enhance the level of production, keep IRAWMA strong, and for the fortification of reggae and world music globally,” President, Dr. Martin said.

A limited number of V-VIP and VIP tickets and hotel packages are available to the public at IRAWMA.com

NOMINEES

1. Emperor of Reggae & World Music – Hon. Bob Marley Award for Entertainer of the Year

Koffee
Kabaka Pyramid
Popcaan
Sean Paul
Shaggy

2. Peter Tosh Award for Recording Artist of the Year

Koffee
Masicka
Popcaan
Sean Paul
Shaggy
Valiant

3. Jacob Miller Award for Best Male Vocalist

Christopher Martin
Dexta Daps
Gramps Morgan
Romain Virgo
Tarrus Riley

4. Best Female Vocalist

Etana
Koffee
Lila Iké
Jada Kingdom
Queen Ifrica

5. Gregory Isaacs for Best Song

”Red Gold and Green” - Kabaka Pyramid ft. Damian Marley
“Bounce” - Ding Dong
“Woman Like You” - Gramps Morgan
“These Street Knows My Name” - DJ Khaled, ft. Skillibeng, Buju Banton, Capleton, Bounty Killer & Sizzla
“Go Down Deh “ - Spice, Sean Paul & Shaggy

6. Toots Hibbert Award for Best Album/CD

Kabaka Pyramid - The Kalling
Koffee - Gifted
Masicka - 438
Shenseea - Alpha
Spice - Emancipated

7. Best Crossover Song

Moments - Masicka ft. Stefflon Don
Likkle Miss - Skeng ft Nicki Minaj
Toni Ann Singh - Burna Boy ft. Popcaan
Bounce - Ding Dong
Clockwork - Stefflon Don ft. Spice

8. Best Gospel Song

“If I have Faith” – Alaine
“The Reason” - Kevin Downswell
“Praising God” - Carlene Davis
“Beautiful Day (remix)” - Jermaine Edwards
“Dance Off” - DJ. Nicholas ft. Jason Mighty

9. Best EP (Extended Play) Recording

“The Ripple EFFX” - Alkaline
“Acoustic Gold” - Etana
“God N Gun” - Govana
“In Too Deep" - Kranium
“Celebrating Nina: A Reggae Tribute to Nina Simone” - Ghetto Youths International

10. U-Roy Award for Best Male Dancehall/Rap Artist