The International Reggae and World Music Awards (IRAWMA) has announced that dancehall icons Bounty Killer and Beenie Man will be honoured for their extraordinary contributions to reggae music at a ceremony in New Kingston on May 7. The two artists will be inducted into the Hall of Fame and will receive Lifetime Achievement Awards for their impact on the industry over the past 30 and 40 years, respectively.
The theme for the 40th anniversary of the IRAWMA is "Reggae Rise," and the awards will be a salute to dancehall music and its monumental contribution to the evolution of Jamaican music over the last 50 years, according to Dr. Ephraim Martin, president and producer of the awards.
Grammy-winning artist Koffee leads the pack with seven nominations, while Spice, Masicka, and Popcaan have each received six nominations. Sean Paul, Gramps Morgan, and Ding Dong have each secured four nods, and other nominees include Buju Banton, Capleton, Damian Marley, and Shaggy.
The full list of nominees and categories can be found on on irawma.com
In addition to the awards, special honours will be given to Minister of Culture, Gender Entertainment and Sport Olivia 'Babsy' Grange; Josef Bogdanovich; Usain Bolt; Copeland Forbes; Marcia Griffiths; Freddie McGregor; Beres Hammond; Stone Love; and Pat Chin of VP Records for their humanitarian contributions, philanthropy, and overall development and growth of Jamaican music and culture.
The IRAWMA is an important event in the music calendar, and this year's ceremony promises to be a fitting celebration of the best and brightest in reggae and world music.