The International Reggae and World Music Awards (IRAWMA) is set to dazzle once again, with Sean Paul leading the charge as the most nominated artist for the 42nd edition. The two-time Grammy winner has secured an impressive seven nominations, including coveted categories such as Entertainer of the Year, Recording Artiste of the Year, and Best Crossover Song. Meanwhile, Shenseea, the most nominated female, continues her meteoric rise with five nods, including Best Album/CD and Best Female Dancehall/Rap Artiste.
Announced virtually on January 15, the nominees span 40 categories, highlighting reggae and world music’s finest talents. YG Marley, grandson of reggae legend Bob Marley, joins the frontrunners with five nominations, including Best Male Vocalist and Best New Entertainer. Spice and Buju Banton also make their mark, each earning four nominations. According to IRAWMA founder Dr. Ephraim Martin, this year’s ceremony will uphold the event’s legacy of honouring global excellence. “We intend to uphold the integrity of IRAWMA by giving honors only where honors are due without compromise,” Martin stated.
This year’s awards, set for March 30 at the Coral Springs Center for the Arts in Florida, will also celebrate the extraordinary contributions of icons like Audley Rollen, who will receive a Special Diamond Lifetime Achievement Award for 65 years in the music industry. The addition of the VP Kamala Harris Best Song/Act Award adds a fresh layer of excitement, with nominees paying tribute to the trailblazing Jamaican-American leader. Voting is now open at irawma.com, with fans eagerly awaiting the results of reggae and world music’s biggest night.
