See Which Nigerian Artists Are Nominated For World Music Awards

D’Banj and superstar singing duo, P’Square have both been nominated for the Best African Entertainer category at the prestigious International Reggae and World Music Awards, IRAWMA, 2013

To win the coveted award, D’Banj and P’Square are up against five other big names in the continent’s entertainment scene namely: Fally Ipupa –Congo; Nkulee Dube –South Africa; Liquideep –South Africa; Daddy Muss –Sierra Leone and Sarkodie –Ghana

Also making a showing for Africa at the 32nd anniversary of IRAWMA is Kenya’s Dancehall artiste, Wyre, aka The Love Child, who has been nominated for the Best New Entertainer category. Wyre will be battling it out with some of reggae’s icons across the world like D Major who is one of the most celebrated reggae artistes internationally and Jamaica’s upcoming artiste Chronixx.

The awards also has categories like “Bob Marley Award for Entertainer of the Year” (nominees are: Jimmy Cliff, Damian Marley, Third World, Sean Paul, Tarrus Riley, Romain Virgo and Stephen Marley) and “Lifetime/Hall of Fame Achievement honour” (nominees include Black Uhuru, JAMUSA-Denver Silveria, Inner Circle, Hon. Edward Seaga, Lloyd “Joe Frazier” Campbell and Johnny Nash), amongst other categories.

IRAWMA was established in 1982 and is aimed at acknowledging and honouring the accomplishments and contributions of reggae and music artists, including songwriters, performers, promoters and musicians. The awarding ceremony is also committed to promoting greater participation and acceptance of Reggae, Caribbean and World Music Internationally.

Organised by Martin’s International, the star studded event will be hosted at the Coral Springs Centre for the Arts, Florida, USA, on Saturday, May 4. This will be the fifth time in 26 years the event was hosted in Florida. Every 10 years, IRAWMA goes to the Caribbean. After 15 years on the road, it returned to its birthplace, Chicago, in July, 2012 for the 31st celebration which was combined for the first time ever with its sister event, the International Festival of Life, IFOL.

Nigerians can visit www.irawma. com to vote for either of the country’s representatives.