IRAWMA rolls out red carpet today - Major honours for Burning Spear, Marcia Griffiths, Mavado and more

The annual International Reggae and World Music Awards (IRAWMA) widely recognised as the premier awards celebration honouring reggae and world music excellence, celebrates 43 years with a ceremony at the Lauderhill Performing Arts Center, this evening. 

Founder, Ephraim Martin, is “feeling wonderful” at reaching this milestone, especially considering that after year 10, he was ready to say goodbye, since the main goal had been achieved, Nelson Mandela was free. 

Martin never gets weary of recounting how, as a photographer at The Gleaner Company decades ago, he was always encouraged by people such as Bob Marley, Jacob Miller, Tommy Cowan and Peter Tosh to get more involved in the music business. That involvement would germinate the idea of a music awards which would assist in mobilising the fight against Apartheid in South Africa, where freedom fighter, Nelson Mandela, was imprisoned.

“In 1990, the awards show, which was held in Atlanta, was fully dedicated to Nelson Mandela. We had all the big names in reggae, such as Dennis Brown, to perform and when Mandela was released footage from that event was used in the official celebrations,” Martin told The Sunday Gleaner.

He shared that he was excited about IRAWMA returns to Lauderhill for what is anticipated to be “one of the most exciting and star-studded productions in the organisation’s history”. 

“We will be bringing together legendary icons, global superstars, emerging talent, dignitaries, influencers, and reggae-lovers from around the world,” Martin stated.

“ We will be honouring Burning Spear for his contribution to reggae music. He was with us in New Orleans in 1995 and we are bringing him back. This is really special. We have been watching Burning Spear over the years … he has toured the world spreading Marcus Garvey and all the positive things about our culture. It is time to give Burning Spear his flowers while he is still here to personally receive them,” Martin said,

He added that Burning Spear is “excited and looking forward to being honoured”.

Legendary roots reggae singer, songwriter, and musician, Burning Spear, whose given name is Winston Rodney, will receive the IRAWMA Lifetime and Master of Reggae and World Music Culture Award in recognition of an extraordinary 57 years of contribution to reggae music and global consciousness. Burning Spear, known for his spiritual Rastafarian messages, thought-provoking lyrics, and advocacy for Pan-Africanism, was a seminal figure in 1970s roots reggae movement. A  multiple Grammy Awards-winner, he was awarded the Order of Distinction by the Jamaican Government in 2007.

Also up for an honour are the ‘Queen of Reggae’, Marcia Griffiths, who also received an honorary doctor of letters from The University of the West Indies at its last graduation ceremony; veteran singer Wayne Armond; Spragga Benz; Congolese music icon Awilo Longomba; Mavado;  and Gramps Morgan. Martin is particularly excited about Wayne Armond.

“He was my colleague at The Gleaner,” the IRAWMA founder said with a smile. “We are more than happy to be honouring him  and all of these extraordinary people.” 

With much delight, he pointed out that “one of the night’s most anticipated moments will be the honouring of dancehall megastar, Mavado”.  The ‘Gully Gad’, or David Brooks, as his mother christened him, will receive a prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award “for his tremendous impact and contributions to dancehall music and Caribbean culture worldwide”.

NOMINATIONS

Leading this year’s nominations is dancehall superstar Vybz Kartel with an unmatched 11 nominations across nine categories.  Also receiving multiple nominations are Shaggy, Sean Paul, Spice, and Shenseea.

Producer DJ Khaled, who is nominated for the hit collaboration You Remind Me, featuring Vybz Kartel, Bounty Killer, Buju Banton, Rory from Stone Love, Kaylan Arnold and Mavado, will serve as one of the evening’s presenters.

Gramps Morgan and gospel reggae pioneer Dr. Carlene Davis are among the featured performers who will celebrate the richness and diversity of Caribbean and world music.

In a press release, the organisers stated that the event will also recognise and celebrate countless international nominees spanning reggae, dancehall, Latin, Afrobeats, and world music, including global stars, such as Daddy Yankee,  Stick Figure, and Mariah Carey, collaborating on the song Sugar Sweet, featuring Shenseea and Kehtani.

“The excitement surrounding this year’s IRAWMA is at an all-time high,” Martin emphasised. “This celebration represents more than awards; it is a global cultural movement honouring the legends, pioneers, and future stars of reggae and world music.”

He added, “We are mobilising the younger generation to take the lead so that this award will be around in the next 40 years.”

This year’s IRAWMA is dedicated to Justice Shelvin L. M. Hall, the wife of Ephraim Martin, who passed away last October.

“It is dedicated to her and the victims of Hurricane Melissa,” Martin said.

The event will also feature its fourth annual song contest, which talks about what IRAWMA has been doing for the reggae and world music industries over the last 43 years. The four finalists are Jah Stone, Gospel Guerilla, Garfield Goulbourne, and Valeda Williams featuring Steve Cattose. 

Hosts for the show are comedian Dufton Shepherd, poet/dramatist Marcia Jackson, and the Jamaica consulate-general in South Florida, Oliver Mair. Red carpet arrivals begin at 6 p.m.

yasmine.peru@gleanerjm.com

CAPTIONS

IRAWMA founder Ephraim Martin and his wife Justice Shelvin L. M. Hall, who passed away last October.

Gramps Morgan is one of the performers at today's awards show.

Special IRAWMA honoree, Burning Spear.