The 39th annual International Reggae & World Music Awards (IRAWMA) will be held Sunday, May 2, under the theme, Reggae/World Music Still Rise.
The event, which celebrates the best of reggae and world music, will present a stellar virtual gala to honour musicians and industry professionals for their creativity and contributions during 2020, a year that unleashed unprecedented socio-economic challenges on the industry.
“Despite the hurdles, some music creators birthed incredible works to uplift millions globally... The virtual fete will feature performances by international musicians and entertainers. With an audience across continents and isles-Africa, Europe, Asia, North and South America and of course the Caribbean, cheering on nominees and winners of various genres- reggae, dancehall, gospel, afro-beats, calypso, soca and latin music. It will be spectacular,” said Rosemary Duncan, Public Relations Manager at IRAWMA.
Nominations by music connoisseurs (artistes, producers, promoters, songwriters, record labels, entertainment media bloggers, managers, agents, engineers) commenced on February 01, 2021 and ends on March 10, 2021. Public voting runs from Monday, March 22, 2021 through midnight, Tuesday, April 20, 2021.
All members of the public are invited to be a part of the process by selecting the best, in each category, for 2020, including, awardees for the inaugural Toots Hibbert Award for Best Reggae Album/CD and the Best Virtual Showcase. Voters are urged to consider the social relevance of materials, originality, sales, local/national/international virtual performances and social media activity.
Votes should be cast at www.irawma.com. A reputable accounting firm will tally votes to determine the winner for each category, organisers said.
President of IRAWMA, Ephraim Martin, further emphasised, “One person, One vote. Vote for the best for the year 2020. Not because he or she is your artiste or on your label, as one knows when an artiste is on a ballot and should not be there.”
IRAWMA’s Operations Manager, Jacqueline Jackson, added, “Music affects our mood, and as such, people tend to listen to music that helps to put them in a better mood. In this time, that we are all experiencing, we thank all the artists, new and old, who continue to produce music/songs that inspire and uplift us as we navigate this reset that we are going through.”
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