The stars came out to celebrate the 41st Annual International Reggae and World Music Awards (IRAWMA) at the Lauderhill Performing Arts Center on Friday, March 22. It was truly a memorable night with fifteen persons receiving Special Honors. One of the highlights of the evening was Sharon Marley performing a special tribute to her mother the Honorable Dr. Alferita Marley O.J, O.D, LITT.
Dr. Marley received the Philanthropist Award. The IRAWMA Diamond Award was presented to Freddie McGregor, OD (from child star to a father of Jamaica and Reggae music for over 60 years). Jacob ‘Killer’ Miller – 60th Anniversary posthumously and 50 years when he started as leader of the Inner Circle Group. The Lifetime Achievement Honorees were: Glen Washington – 60 years, Chris Chin, VP Records – 58 years and Papa San – over 40 years. The Marcus Garvey Humanitarian Award went to Sharon Wiles Foundation. The IRAWMA Awards of Honor for Outstanding and Unique Contributions to the Music Industry: Tullah Carter, Clinton Lindsay, Honorebel, Mr. Vegas, Paul Rossi Lee and Amy Wachtel and the Community Humanitarian Award, D’Angel. Civil rights Attorney, Benjamin L. Crump received the Freedom Fighter Award.
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The night’s biggest winners in five categories include:
- Teejay taking home three awards the Gregory Isaacs Award for Best Song “Drift,” U-Roy Award for best male DJ/Rapper and best collaborated Song (reggae with R&B, Rap, Latin “Drift remix” – Teejay and Davida.
- Also capturing three awards was Byron Messia for The Best new entertainer and The Best crossover song “Talibans” as well as Best Music Video “Talibans II” went to Byron Messia & Burna Boy.
- The night also saw Christopher Martin take home two awards, the Jacob Miller Award for Best Male Vocalist and the Hon. Shelvin L.M. Hall & Hon. L Pricilla Hall Award for Best Gospel Song “Goodness of God.”
- Sean Paul also won big by capturing two awards for Emperor of Reggae & World Music Hon. Bob Marley Award for Entertainer of the Year and the Peter Tosh Award for Recording Artist of the Year.
- Pablo YG also took home two awards for Best teen entertainer (13-19 years) and Dennis Brown award for most promising entertainer.
- Best Social Media Entertainer Influencer and Best Female/DJ Rapper went to Spice.
Other awardees for the evening were Best Female Vocalist, Etana, Toots Hibbert Award for Best Album/CD “No Destroyer” Burning Spear, Best EP (extended Play)Recording “From Me to You” Valiant, Best Calypso/Soca Entertainer, PatriceRoberts, Onstage TV Award for Best Dancehall Stagecraft Entertainer, Dexta Daps, Best Singjay Entertainer, Chronic Law, Dancehall Performer of the yearMasicka, Best Latin – Reggae Oriented Entertainer, Bad Bunny, Best AfricanDancehall Entertainer, Stone Boy, Best Afrobeat Entertainer, Wiz Kid, BestAfrican Entertainer, Burna Boy, Best Reggae Rock Entertainer, SOJA, Mutabaruka Award for Best Poet/Spoken Word Entertainer, Marcia Jackson, Bunny Wailer Award for – Most Cultural Educational EntertainerGramps Morgan, Best Instrumentalist-sponsored, Dean Fraser, BestSound System/DJ, Stone Love, Most Outstanding Dance Group, Uptek DanceAcademy, Jean B.P. DuSable Award for Best Haitian Entertainer – Roody Roodboy, Record Producer of the Year, Dunwell Production, Comedian of the Year, Julie Mango, Concert of the Year, Reggae Sumfest.
On Stage TV’s Winford Williams took home the Best Social Media Content Creator influencer award, Florida Entertainer of the Year went to Sons of Mystro, Florida Best Party DJ was DJ Rufus, the best IRAWMA song went to Ajaeze and 25 years of OutstandingContributions to African Music, Dance and Culture and as IRAWMA’s Ambassador to Africa that award went to Grace Haukwa. The exceptional hosting skills of comedian and mental health advocate Julie Mango, the incomparable TV and radio host Professor Candace Buchanan, band leader, percussionist and song writer Tito Puente, Jr. marshalled the proceedings. seamlessly. The Visions Band did a marvelous job backing more than ten of the performers and was the recipient of a Special Award for Outstanding contributions tothe music industry.
“It was indeed a memorable night especially being able to bestow the honor on such esteemed individuals who have contributed so much to reggae music, their great contribution will leave an indelible mark on us all. To see all these greats assembled on one night was truly a celebration of reggae music and certainly warms my heart” said Ephraim Martin, Founder and Executive Producer of the awards.
