Established in 1982, the International Reggae & World Music Awards (IRAWMA) mission, is to honor and acknowledge accomplishments and contributions of reggae and world music artists including songwriters, promoters and musicians. The impetus behind the IRAWMA is its commitment to promoting greater participation and acceptance of Reggae, Caribbean and World Music, Internationally.
This year, Bounty Killer and Capleton, are in line to receive major awards being held in Jamaica at Pegasus Hotel, St Andrew, on Saturday 11 May. Bounty Killer will receive the Reggae Dancehall Icon Award, while Capleton will receive the Reggae Culture Legend Award.
The pair will join Top One Frissen, Bob Andy, Inner Circle, and Third World as some of the major honorees.
“It is not just to honour the best of 2018,†stated founder and president of IRAWMA, Ephraim Martin, “but to salute and honour some of reggae’s foundation members, who are still making a difference in the world of reggae from 1968 to present. This year we had an overwhelming amount of votes, 50 per cent coming out of Africa, which is a testimony to not only the need for artistes to be recognised for their work, but is evidence of the amount of excellent reggae and world music makers in Jamaica and around the globe.â€
Originally supposed to be held in Trinidad, the IRAWMA has been moved to Jamaica in observance of reggae music’s 50th anniversary.
Fittingly, Bob Marley will receive the Special Emperor of Reggae and World Music Honour Award, created specifically for the late reggae singer. American civil rights activist Jesse Jackson bagged the Special Freedom Fighter award, while Ms Olivia Grange will receive the Martin’s International Person of The Year 2018 award.
Nominees for Bob Marley Entertainer of the Year include Busy Signal, Chronixx, Damian Marley, Popcaan, and Shaggy. Chronixx, Romain Virgo, Tarrus Riley, Protoje, and Beres Hammond are also nominees for Best Male Vocalist.
Best Female Vocalist nominees include , Etana, Estelle, Jah9, Koffee, and Queen Ifrica.
