Grammy-winning songstress Koffee leads the nominations for this year’s International Reggae and World Music Awards (IRAWMA), with six nods, including “Best Album” and “Entertainer of the Year“.
Popcaan dominates his male counterparts with five nods, while Spice emerged as the second-most nominated female, with four nods. Trending deejay Valiant secured two nominations.
Ephraim Martin, President of Martin’s International and founder of the International Reggae and World Music Awards (IRAWMA), promises an unforgettable evening of musical excellence as the awards gala takes over Kingston on May 7. Speaking at the online nominee presentation ceremony, Martin said that IRAWMA was ready to rebound from the challenges inflicted by the COVID-19 pandemic and that the annual awards ceremony will continue as planned owing to media commitments.
IRAWMA 2023 will honour nominees and special awardees for 2021 and 2022. Martin believes that the local music industry has spent too much time in the past complaining about the outcome of the Grammy Awards instead of acting for the betterment of the genre.
“There are many entities and industry awards, launched locally and internationally, that give the genre its deserved recognition that does not get the support they need,” said Martin.
This year’s ceremony also observes the IRAWMA’s celebrating its 40th Anniversary. The showcase was launched in 1982.
