7th Annual EME Awards Takes Place March 12

Jamerican king of comedy Raymond ‘Rayzor’ Davis, whose rise from struggling local comic in the 1990s to national touring act with an HBO appearance, has been confirmed as host of the 7th Annual Excellence in Music and Entertainment (EME) Awards. The 7th annual EME Awards is set to take place on March 12 at 8pm in Jamaica at the East Lawn of the historical Devon House (Kingston). (Full list of nominees on next page)

Founder and chairman Richard ‘Richie B’ Burgess, notes that due to the event’s growth as well as the support it has received from the local music and entertainment industry, it will be moving to the East Lawns of the historical Devon House in Kingston. Burgess, has declared that he and his team will deliver a “mind blowing experience” this year. Indeed, the EMEs have grown into a big deal, with over 90% of its awardees generally in attendance and a number of top local stars jockeying for performance slots. The red carpet entry is the most spectacular of its kind in the region, adding credence to the fact that the EMEs are often referred to as the ‘Jamaican Grammys.’ Last year, the event rose to new heights with coverage by North America’s BET Networks. Their coverage posted at their website received thousands of hits. Multiple Grammy award-winning artiste India.Arie was in attendance both as a performer and as The International Friend of Reggae Honouree. This year’s staging will be a night filled with glitz and glamour in addition to a lot of international attention. The 2011 International Friend of Reggae Honouree will be popular American rapper, songwriter, model and businesswoman, Trina. On her latest album, Amazin’, she collaborated with Jamaica’s very own Lady Saw and Trinidadian-American sensation, Nicki Minaj, on a song titled, Dang A Lang. The Icons Honourees for this year have not yet been named but veterans honoured in this category before include the likes of the late Sonia Pottinger, King Jammys, Freddie McGregor, Toots Hibbert and Denroy Morgan. Several new categories will be added to the proceedings this year, including Artiste of the Decade (2001 to 2010) for both males and females. Some local and overseas celebrities will be on duty to present premier awards and many others will be showing their support. The EMEs have previously received endorsements from bigwigs such as Akon, John Legend, Missy Elliot, Jazmine Sullivan and Estelle.

1) DJ OF THE YEAR (MALE)

(For overall impact as a solo vocal performer in the eligibility year)

Beenie man

Aidonia

Bounty killer

Vybz kartel

Busy signal

Assassin

2) DJ OF THE YEAR (FEMALE)

(For overall impact as a solo vocal performer in the eligibility year)

Tifa

Stacious

Lady Saw

Cecile

Dngel

Timberlee

Spice

3) VOCALIST OF THE YEAR (MALE)

Hezron

Stevie Face

Jah Cure

Christopher Martin

Romain Virgo

Tarrus Riley

Richie Stephens

4) VOCALIST OF THE YEAR (FEMALE)

Tami Chynn

Queen Ifrica

Etana

Alaine

Cherine Anderson

Phyllisia

Sankofa Records – Sankofa Crew

Equinoxx Productions – Gavin Blair

Chimney Records – Jordan Mc Lure

Big Ship – Stephen Mcgregor

Seanizzle Records – Sean Reid

Notnice Productions – Ainsley Morris

Cash Flow Records-Dj Neil, Dj X & Fada P

CR203 Records – ZJ Chrome

Head Concussion Records – Tariq Johnson

(For overall impact as a record producer in this category in the eligibility year)

Kemar Dj Flava Mc GregorNo Doubt Records

Donovan Bennett – Don Corleon Label

Sly & Robbie – Taxi Label

Donovan Germain – Penthouse Records

Jeremy Harding – 2hard Music

Dj Neil, Dj X & Fada P – Cash Flow

Dj Frass – Frass Productions

(Award to an artist whose overall impact during the eligibility year establishes his public identity as a recording artist)

Vybrant

Richie Loop

Popcaan

Versatile

Protoje

Dj Liquid

Tnez

(Award to an artist whose overall impact during the eligibility year establishes her public identity)

Toya

Gaza Slim

Misteree

Ikaya

Sheba

Denyque

Dj Sunshine

Keida

Rdx
Andrew & Wada Blood

Tok

Voicemail

Roots Revealers

Twins Of Twins

Nomaddz

10) BIGGEST COMEBACK ARTIST

(Award to an artist whose release(s) in the eligilibility year marked his/her return to the charts after a long break)

Ras Charmer
Warrior King

Junior X
Mr G

Future Fambo
Andy Livingston

Mr Lexx

(Award to the artist and producer who score the biggest charting song in this category during the eligibility year)

Clarks

Stulla

Hold Yuh

Rum & Red Bull

Mad Over

Dumper Truck

This Is How We Do It

Nah Sell Out Mi Fren Dem

My Cupp

JIM SCREECHIE

(Award to the artist and producer who score the biggest charting song in this category during the eligibility year)

We Shall Find A Way – Hezron

Unconditional Love – Jah Cure/ Phyllisha

Wildfire – Tarrus Riley

Free – Etana

My Life – I Octane

Life – Shawn Storm

Night Shift – Busy Signal

Lose A Friend – I-Octane

13) ALBUM OF THE YEAR

(Award To Artist(S) And Producer(S) If Different From Artist(S) Whose Album Had Biggest Impact In This Category In The Eligibility Year)

Pon Di Gaza 2.0 – Vybz Kartel

Romain Virgo – Romain Virgo

Distant Relatives – Junior Gong & Nas

Infallible – Tanya Stephens

Hold You – Gyptian

My Way – Lady Saw

Before The Dawn – Buju Banton

Black Gold – Duane Stephenson

14) CULTURAL ARTIST OF THE YEAR

(Award to artist with the best/biggest cultural/positive recording(s) in the eligibility year)

Tarrus Riley

Queen Ifrica

Richie Spice

Jah Cure

I Octane

Etana

Chuck Fender

(Award to artist whose work attracted local and international attention, and who is seen as poised as a leader for the next generation of reggae/ dance hall stars)

Tony Anthony

Dmajor

Khago

I-Octane

Tiana

The Jolly Boys

Shawn Storm

G Whizz

(Award to the artist with the biggest overall impact in this category in the eligilibility year)

Mavado

Mr Vegas

I Octane

Chino

Konshens

Gyptian

Wayne Marshall

Khago

17) ARTIST OF THE DECADE (2001-2010)

(Award to the artist who had the biggest impact as a hit maker, performer and as a touring act)

Capleton

Elephant Man

Sean Paul

Sizzla

Beenie Man

Shaggy

Bounty Killer

Luciano

Lady Saw

Buju Banton

Junior Gong

Beres Hammond

Marcia Griffiths

Wayne Wonder

(Award to the producer of the reggae rhythm with the biggest impact in the eligibility year)

Big Stage – Penthouse

Classic Rhythm – No Doubt

Minor Rhythm – Don Corleon

City Life Ryhthm – 2hard Music

Pleasure Rhythm – Cash Flow

Cardio Bass – ZJ Chrome (CR203)

19) RHYTHM OF THE YEAR (DANCE HALL)

(Award to the producer/ label of the dance hall rhythm with the biggest impact in the eligibility year)

Mad Collabo – ZJ Chrome (CR203)

Bank Inna Mi Pocket – Romeich

12 Furlong – Ballaz/Sankofa

Cosa Nostra – Ward 21

Bad People – Stephen Mcgregor

One Day – Seanizzle

Smokin – ZJ Chrome (CR203)

(Award to a next generation artist whose career improves most dramatically in all areas over the eligibility year)

Nicky B

Chi Ching Ching

David M

Delus

Danielle Aka Di

Zamunda

G. Warren

21) GOSPEL ARTIST OF THE YEAR

(Award to the gospel artist with the biggest impact in this category in the eligibility year)

Goddy Goddy

Jabez

Prodigal Son

Dj Nicholas

Jermaine Edwards

Omari Edwards

Junior Tucker

Judith Gayle

Carlene Davis

Kevin Downswell

(For a collaborative vocal performance by artists who do not normally perform together)

Clarks – Vybz Kartel, Popcaan & Gaza Slim

Come Into My Room – Mavado & Stacious

How We Do It – Elephant Man & Bounty Killer

Unconditional Love – Jah Cure & Phyllisia

Drinking Rum & Red Bull – Beenie Man & Fambo

For Ur Eyes Only – Shaggy & Alaine

My Heart – Wayne Marshall & Mavado

Stronger – Cham, Mykal Rose & Bounty Killer

Certified Diva – Tami & Tifa

23) BEST INSTRUMENTAL GROUP WITH VOCALS (BAND)

(Award to group/band (not backing band) which had the biggest impact in the eligibility year)

Raging Fire

Dubtonic Kru

C-Sharp

Live Wyya

Rootz Underground

Public Secret

24) BEST THEATRICAL PRODUCTION

(Award to the theatrical production with the biggest impact in the eligibility year)

The Plummer

Puppy Love

Passa Passa Daily

House Arrest

Ghettout

25) INTERNATIONAL ARTIST OF THE YEAR

(Awarded to the artist scoring the biggest charting International Hit during the eligibility year)

Gyptian

Damian

Junior Gong Marley

Laza Morgan

Shaggy

Mavado

Sean Paul

Vybz Kartel

Cherine Anderson