Top nominees for 27th IRAWMA

The prestigious 27th Annual International Reggae and World Music Awards (IRAWMA), produced by Martin’s International & Associates, LLC is dedicated to health awareness and returns to Harlem at the world famous Apollo Theater, located at 253 West 125th Street, NYC, on Sunday, May 4. A VIP reception begins at 6:00 pm and general admission is at 7:00 pm.

Leading with IRAWMA’s most nominations for 2007 is Tarrus Riley, with a mega seven (7) nods, including Best Male Vocalist and Best Song, for the female anthem She’s Royal. Gangster DJ Mavado has five (5) nods from IRAWMA for Best Male DJ, Best Album, Best Recording Artist(s), Songwriter of the Year, and Community Service. Beenie Man, Buju Banton, Steven Marley, Shaggy, and Sean Kingston all received four (4) nominations, while Kymani Marley, Junior Reid and Soca star Machel Montano each received three (3) nominations. Reid, competing against himself, is nominated twice in the same category -- Best Crossover -- for his hits with Alicia Keys and rapper MIMS.

The official New York Press Conference was held Thursday March 27, to a packed house at club Element in Manhattan. Hosted by veteran vocalist Sheila Hylton, Ephraim Martin of Martin’s International & Associates and Andrew Rowe of American Airlines announced the nominees, performers and sponsors. International performing artists, promoters and various media organizations were in attendance at the standing-room only event. An official announcement of the nominees was made previously this month, at the Hilton Hotel in New Kingston, Jamaica. Other IRAWMA representatives at the press conference were Directors Clifton Edwards and Austin McBean.

Ephraim Martin announced that the preliminary list of performers are Beenie Man, Kymani Marley, Doug E. Fresh, Sean Kingston, Tarrus Riley, Etana, Dean Fraser, Winsome Benjamin , D’Angel, Queen Ifrika, Mutabaruka, Cecile, Junior Reid and Dwight Pickney. Buju Banton will be among the presenters for the star studded event. More performers will be announced at a later date.

American Airlines, which has served the Caribbean region for more than 30 years, is again the official airline sponsor of the prestigious 27th Annual International Reggae and World Music Awards (IRAWMA). American Airlines first inaugurated service to the Caribbean in March 1971, flying between New York and five Caribbean destinations. Today, American and its regional affiliate, American Eagle, fly from more than 14 North American cities to more than 30 destinations in the Caribbean, as well as to the Bahamas and Bermuda in the Atlantic.

“IRAWMA executives and its media partners warmly welcome American Airlines and our other sponsors on board for the 27th IRAWMA,” said Ephraim Martin, founder of IRAWMA.

Other nominees include: Ziggy Marley, Marcia Griffiths, Rihanna, Jay Z, Kanye West, Wyclef Jean, King Sunny Ade, Sly and Robbie, Youssou N’Dour, Toots & the Maytals, Beres Hammond, Daddy Yankee, Marc Anthony, Shakira, Angela Kidjo, Femi Kuti, and Jah Cure.

Machel Montano set to rock New York

Soca superstar Machel Montano is getting ready to shine in the spotlight once again when he headlines at New York's famed Madison Square Garden (MSG) on Friday, March 28. Montano set industry records by performing two shows on one night at MSG last year May, and both to sold out crowds.

Hailed as the "Prince of Soca," he's back for the highly anticipated encore, promising a show that is "bigger and better," as he returns with a slew of new singles from his upcoming album, due out this summer.Montano maintains his crossover and worldwide appeal by successfully fusing genres, somehow managing to seamlessly blend soca with reggae, dancehall and reggaeton. He recently scored chart-topping hits with the likes of Shaggy, Mr. Vegas, Vybz Kartel and Buju Banton.

A national hero to the people of Trinidad, Montano returned home for Carnival season and is now preparing to spread his new sounds to the rest of the world, New York being one of the first stops.Last year renaming himself Machel Montano HD, he pledges to redefine his identity both as an entertainer and an individual. "Every year I get simpler, and I am getting closer to some complete picture of the sound I've been trying to create," reveals Montano.Fans can hear his redefined sound when he takes center stage at MSG, with his usual fanfare.

The audience can expect more of a Vegas-style show with an abundance of theatrics, masquerade costumes and surprise guests. Last year's performances saw special appearances from Shaggy, Mr. Vegas, and Collie Buddz, just to a name a few. Now Montano promises some major surprises in store for his fans, come Friday, March 28.

Source - Rhona Fox Inc
Date - March 7, 2008