American Hip-Hop stars Drake and Rick Ross, US singer Alicia Keys and Barbadian R&B songstress Rhianna are among the large crop of artistes nominated for the 30th annual International Reggae & World Music Awards (IRAWMA) to be held at The National Academy For the Performing Arts (NAPA) on May 28. Several local and regional performers such as JW and Blaze, Nigel Lewis, Iwer George, Beenie Man and Queen Ifrica are also vying for awards in various categories.
Topping the list are reggae sensation Gyptian, who is nominated in eight categories, and soca star Machel Montano and reggae heart-throb Damian Marley, with seven nominations each. Its the first time that the red carpet affair will be held on local soil and organisers assure it would be one to remember. Between 3,000-5,000 guests are carded to attend the show. Ticket prices for the event cost $190 outdoor, $320 VIP inside and $1,280 VIP Platinum. Speaking at a news conference at the House of Angostura, Laventille, on Wednesday, Producer/President, Ephraim Martin said T&T was chosen over 30 countries including Jamaica, Ghana, Nigeria and Guadeloupe, as both soca and chutney music were gaining international recognition.
Martin said the growth of soca heavyweight Machel Montano, who has been among the awards top winners for three consecutive years, was also a key factor in choosing this island over its competitors.
This years installment, which Martin noted costs a few million dollars to stage, will also see the introduction of the Chutney Soca category. The winner, he said, would be chosen based on text votes via local and international fans.
At a later date
Stating that steelpan music did not get the recognition it deserved, Martin said he was disappointed that a pan category could not be introduced but he simply was not getting enough requests for pan music. He promised, however, to ensure that the nations national instrument received its just due at the event in the near future. When asked about the readiness of the IRAWMA team to pull off the upcoming show, Martin told the T&T Guardian that everything was falling into place and that preparations were coming together.
However, during the conference, the team was visibly unprepared to answer questions posed by the media, including which local artistes were booked to perform, and whether international nominees would be in Trinidad for the event. Well answer that at a later date, Martin repeatedly replied. He did divulge, however, that more than 1,000 tourists would be coming to Trinidad to attend the celebration, and that tickets would be distributed on a first come first served basis. He added, There will be large screens for those choosing to get the outdoor tickets and NAPA would be designed in such a way as to accommodate everyone.
Economic benefits
Meanwhile, Rhonda Lee Yhapp-Lewis, manager, Events and Sponsorship, TSTT Corporate Marketing Department, said hosting the event would do well to boost the economy and help showcase T&Ts culture to the world. People will be seeing us on a world stage. We will have a very captive audience as we are expecting a lot of foreigners for this event. And IRAWMA officials added that US music television stations, MTV or BET, would broadcast the show internationally, but Martin said the chosen channel would be released at a later date.
OTHER NOMINEES
Best Male Vocalist
Beres Hammond
Gyptian
Jah Cure
Tarrus Riley
Romain Virgo
Best Female Vocalist
Etana
Alaine
Marcia Griffiths
Queen Ifrica
Tanya Stephens
Most Popular Hip Hop Entertainer
Rhianna
Rick Ross
Nicki Minaj
Black Eye Peas
Drake
Songwriter of the Year
Kernel Roberts
Gyptian
Machel Montano
Damian Marley
Vybz Kartel
