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Published:Saturday | January 18, 2025 | 12:07 AM
The nominees for the 42nd International Reggae and World Music Awards (IRAWMA) were revealed virtually on Wednesday. A total of 160 nominees were selected across 40 categories, with 10 special honourees also named. Sean Paul tops the list with seven nominations, trailed by YG Marley and Shenseea with five each. Spice and Buju Banton earned four nominations apiece. Among the nominees in three categories and below are: Bounty Killer, Nigy Boy, Chronic Law, Vybz Kartel, Shatta Wale, Damian Marley, Shaggy, Gramps Morgan, Beenie Man, Jada Kingdom, Collie Buddz, and Agent Sasco.
The nominees for Concert of the Year include Buju Banton (NY), Freedom Street by Vybz Kartel (DSE Prod), Reggae Sumfest, Rebel Salute, and Rototom Sunsplash. For the Marcus Garvey Humanitarian Award, the nominees are Bounty Killer, D’Angel, Josef Bogdanovich, Richie Stephens, Sonia Patterson, and VP Records. Other categories include: Most Active Reggae/Dancehall Social Media Entertainer; Comedian of the Year; Best Sound System/DJ; Bunny Wailer Award for Most Cultural/Educational Entertainer; and Best Female Dancehall/Rap Artiste.
Ephraim Martin, president and producer of IRAWMA, who celebrated his Golden 50th Anniversary in media, entertainment, and activism, last year, said. “For this the ninth hosting of Martin’s International Awards, in South Florida, we’re happy to be back in Coral Springs. This is our 42nd consecutive year serving as the only organisation honouring reggae and world music’s best throughout the globe. We intend to uphold the integrity of IRAWMA by giving honours only where honours are due without compromise.”
Several reggae and other entertainers have released songs in tribute to Vice President Kamala Harris, the first Jamaican American and woman nominated for president of the United States. In recognition of this, a new award, the Special VP Kamala Harris Best Song/Act Award – 2024, has been introduced. The nominees for Best Song Saluting VP Kamala Harris include tracks such as Jamerican Momala’s Story by Ras Daan Jah; Big Up Kamala Harris by Richie Stephens; Gimme Hope Kamala by Marsh Family (an adaptation of Eddy Grant); America Needs a Smile, America Needs Hope, America Needs Kamala Harris by Oded Kertes; and Biden Step Down, Kamala Harris for President by Gowam International.
The IRAWMA song contest will be held for the third time this year. Entertainers can submit a two-minute MP4 video mentioning IRAWMA’s contributions to the music industry by emailing it to irawma@gmail.com.
Among the announcers revealing the nominees and special honorees were Martin, the music industry legends, Tommy Cowan, Copeland Forbes, Carlene Davis, and Poet Marcia Jackson.
The event will take place on Sunday, March 30, at the Coral Springs Center for the Arts in Florida. Voting is now open to the public at irawma.com
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