The International Reggae and World Music Awards went down this past Sunday in New York City! The event was attended by reggae royalty and enthusiasts alike. Soca royalty was also in attendance with co-Host Allison Hinds representing along with Machel Montano who took home the award for Best Calypso/Soca Entertainer. Machel being Machel shared the award with Soca Queen Allison Hinds.
Big, big, big shout out to Atlanta’s own Gramps Morgan for sweeping all categories he was in: Best Song with Wash Away the Tears, Best Cross over and Best New Entertainer!!! Pop the hood for the pictures and full list of winners.
Some highlights of the night included Mutabaruka barefoot (not unusual) but barefoot on the red carpet too! A so we do it! Also, while we’re on the subject of Gramps, he delivered a soul stirring rendition of Psalms 21 with Dean Fraser. The set was dedicated to our incarcerated brethren Buju Banton. Allison Hinds also delivered a great performance. Queen Ifrica took home four awards (she was the most nominated artist ever with nine nominations coming into the night).
WINNER LIST, CHECK OUT THE WINNER LIST
1. Entertainer of the Year Machel Montano
2. Recording Artist of the Year Queen Ifrika
3. Best Male Vocalist Tarrus Riley
4. Best Female Vocalist – Alison Hinds
5. Best Song Wash Away the Tears- Gramps Morgan
6. Best CD Awake- Julian Marley
7. Best Crossover Song Theraphy Gramps Morgan
8. Best Gospel Song Help Omari
9. Best Female D.J./Rapper Queen Ifrica
10. Best Male D.J./Rapper Elephant Man
11. Best New Entertainer Gramps Morgan
12. Best Calyso/Soca Entertainer- Machel Montano
13. Best Reggaeton Ent. Pit Bull
14. Best Latin Entertainer- Enrique Iglesias
15. Best Compas Ent. Kryol La
16. Best African Ent. Samini
17. Best Soukous Ent.- Awilo Longomba
18. Best Hip Hop/R&B Ent.- Jamie Foxx
19. Outstanding Contribution to World Music Mamadou Diabte
20. Most Outstanding Stage Personality Beenie Man
21. Best Music Video So Fine- Sean Paul
22. Best Poet- Mutabaruka
23. Most Educational Entertainer Queen Ifrika
24. Most Outstanding Show Band Machel Montano & HD
25. Most Consistent Ent. Freddie McGregor
26. Most Promising Entertainer Barbee
27. Most Improved Entertainer Winsome Benjamin
28. Best Instrumentalist Dean Fraser
29. Best Backing Band New Kingston
30. Most Popular Selector/Sound One Love Hi Powa
31. Concert of the Year – Rebel Salute
32. Promoter of the Year Sumfest
33. Producer of the Year Donovan Bennett
34. Songwriter of the Year Queen Ifrika
35. Award for Spiritual Service Through Music Capleton
36. Community Service Award Shaggy & Friends
37. Most Outstanding Dance Group- Dancerz Blvd
38. Marcus Garvey Humanitarian Award: Wyclef Jean, Rev Al Sharpton
39. Intl Reggae & World Music Hall of Fame/Lifetime Inductee: Tony Ryan, Jack Scorpio, Noel Williams (King Sporty), Tony Green
40. Martins International/Inter-Culture Award of Honor: India.Arie, Matisyahu
41. Special Producers Respect Award: Rennie Cogle
42. Awards of Appreciation for Contributions to the Music Industry: Trevor Forde, Ron Muschette, Donovan Longmore, Ricot Dupuy
