Reggae awards score trifecta on return to homeland
MP Olivia Grange, Ephraim Martin and Jamaican Prime Minister
Caribbean L BQ ife, May 17–23, 2019 11
Jamaicans at home had at
least three reasons to revel
to reggae music last weekend
when significant and historic
events coincided for a celebration
of the beat that was birthe
on the island.
On May 11, the 38th anniversary
date since Robert Nesta
Marley made his transition,
the International Reggae and
World Music Awards, IRAWMA
returned to the island for the
fourth time since it was established
and also memorialized
the avowed king by celebrating
its 37th anniversary in the
capital city of Kingston.
Some of the most prominent
recorders attended the gala
to pay tribute at the Jamaica
Pegasus Hotel in New Kingston,
among them the revered Rita
Marley, Bounty Killa, Beenie
Man, Mutabaruka, Spice,
D’Angel, Tony Rebel, Koffee
and Olivia Grange, the nation’s
minister of culture, entertainment,
gender and sports.
First celebrated in Chicago,
Illinois one year after the May
11, 1981 passing of the legend,
IRAWMA is reputed for hosting
ceremonies in New York, Florida,
New Orleans, Louisiana,
Port of Spain, Trinidad, Atlanta,
Georgia, Montego Bay and
Ocho Rios with a gala black-tie
ceremony that rewards achievers
of the genre.
This year’s outing coincided
with the eve of Mothers’
Day commemorations and a
plethora of activities booked
to laud women and their lifegiving
role.
A red-carpet, celebrity
exhibition highlighted arrivals
to the New Kingstonbased
Pegasus Hotel where
heads of states, diplomats and
even the Queen of England
has visited.
Greeted by Ephraim Martin,
Chicago resident and founder
of the awards — top achievers
of the genre, along with government
officials donned red,
gold and green, the colors associated
with the music as well
as Rastafarians, in display of
the music they regard to be the
music favored by kings.
Co-hosted by Koffee and
Tony Rebel, the gala affair honored
32 talents in as many categories
with special honors of
distinction awarded to significant,
outstanding individuals.
The best of the best included
2018 Grammy winner Shaggy
who received the most nominations.
He was voted in five categories
but was unable to attend
due to international bookings
in promotion of his new album
“Wha Ah Gwaan.”
Sean Paul and Koffee
received the next highest with
four.
Reggae king, Robert Nesta
“Bob” Marley was awarded a
posthumous honor naming
him more than king but
Emperor of Reggae.
His widow Rita accepted
the coveted honor and seemed
more than enthused when
an African dancer gyrated as
she watched a performance.
Recipients of special achievement
awards included: civil
rights activist Rev. Jesse Jackson,
singer Beres Hammond,
Reggae Sumfest producer
Josef Bogdanovich, crooner
Freddy McGregor and Marley’s
acclaimed I-Three backup singers
Rita Marley, Judy Mowatt
and Marcia Griffith.
Griffith was unable to accept
her award because of her current
extended tour in Europe.
She is now in Germany.
Olivia Grange was also distinguished
with a special
award.
Artist manager Clifton “Specialist”
Dillon was awarded an
honorable acknowledgement
for his role in steering the
careers of numerous reggae
artists to prominence. Dillon
was on business in China and
could not attend.
Catch You On The Inside!
Andrew Holness.
Inside Life
By Vinette K. Pryce
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