The IRWMA aims at acknowledging and honouring the accomplishments and contributions of reggae and world music artists, including: songwriters, performers, promoters and musicians have finally been unleashed.
This year’s edition saw 160 nominees including Tarrus Riley with the highest nods (four categories), followed by the reggae royal family Morgan Heritage, Sean Paul, Skip Marley and Major Lazer with three nods each.
Also getting multiple nominations from Africa are Koffi Olamide and Shatta Wale with two nods each. Other African nominees include Wizkid, Flavour, Ken Kouran Dance Academy and others.
Most Promising Entertainer
Skip Marley
Alborosie
Franko
Major Myjah
Stonebwoy
Bob Marley Award for Entertainer of the Year
Bounty Killer
PopCaan
Beres Hammond
Ziggy Marley
Spice
Best Male Vocalist
Christopher Martin
Romain Virgo
Jah Cure
Nezbeth
Tarrus Riley
Best Female Vocalist
Etana
Jah9
Ikaya
Marcia Griffiths
Alaine
Best Song
“My Dream” Nesbeth
“Big Deal” Christoher Martin
“Richess Girl” -Etana
Spanish Town Rocking”- Chronix
“No Smoking In My Room”- Stephen Marley
Best Album/CD
“Strictly Roots” -Morgan Heritage
“The Cure” -Jah Cure
“Acousticiacelevy”- Barrington Levy
“Ancient Future” Protoje
” Lovers Rock” Mr. Vegas
Best Crossover Song
“Cheap Thrills”-Sia ft Sean Paul
“Powerful”-Major Lazer, featuring Ellie Goulding & Tarrus Riley
“Red Dress” Magaic
“Hula Hoop”-OMI
Best Gospel Song
“Letter of Love’ -Kay Morris- Canada
“Temptation” (The Man A Pastor)”-Lt Stitchie-Jamaica
“If it is Not You” -Kevin Downswell
“Jesus At The End” -Lady Saw
“Papa San- “Love Me Anyway
Best Male Dancehall Artist
Vibes Kartel
Alkaline
Popcaan
I-Octaine
Dexta Dapps
Best Female DanceHall Artist
Spice
Tifa
Vanessa bling
Ishawna
Best New Entertainer
Jahmiel
Jah -Lil
Skip Marley
Vershion
Don Andrea
Best Calypso/Soca Song
Peter Ram
Voice
Ola Tunji
Tebbyson John
Patricia Robers
Best Latin-Song/Entertainer
Romeo Santos
Pitbull
JBalvin
Justin Quiles
Crooked Stilo
Best African Song/Entertainer
“selfie”-Koffi Olomide-Congo
“Ololufa” -Flavor, featuring Chidinma-Nigeria
“Final( Baba Nia)- Wizkid- Nigeria
“Chop Kiss” Shatta Wale-Ghana
“Sape Comme Jamais” Maitre Gims – Congo
Best Soukous Song/Entertainer
Bako Bela Mutu – Celedo Scram
“Ye Yo” Robinio Mundibu
“Selfie” Koffi Olomide
“Tengama” Fabregaz
“Edenda”- Brigade- Sarbati
Best Belize Punta Entertainer
Eljai
LovaBoy
Supa G.
DankiMan Reynolds
Most Popular R&B/Hip Hop Entertainer
“Work” Rihanna & Drake
“Alright” Kendrick Lamar
“One Dance” -Drake
“Lemonade”- Beyonce
Best Reggae Rock Song/Entertainer
“The Prophet”-Slightly Stoopid
“Inale Exale- Rebulation, Featuring Protoje
“Golden” – The Movement
“Hotting Up” Iration
“Surrounder” Tribal Seeds
Best Chutney Entertainer
Kris Ki Persad
Poopia
Nishard Mayhroo
Ravi Bissambhar
Shiva Lakhan
Best Music Video
“Powerful” Major Lazer, featuring Ellie Goulding & Tarrus Riley
“Hula Hoop “-OMI
“Life” -Skip Marley
“Cheap Thrills” -Sia, Featuring Sean Paul
“Chop Kiss” – Shatta Wale
Best Spoken Word/Poet
Mutabaruka
Andre Porter
Yasus Afari
Malachi Smith
Mecca Aka Grimo
Most Cultural/Educational Entertainer
Capleton
Morgan Heritage
Tarrus Riley
Luciana
Sizzia
Most Oustanding Show Band/Group
Morgan
Inner Circle
Fab 5
New Kinston
Raging Fyah
Best Instrumentalist
Mafia & Fluxy- London
Dean Fraser
Franko
Major Myjah
Inner Circle
Most Out Standing Dance Group
National Dance Theatre Company (NDTC)- Jamaica
Ken Kouran Dance Academy -West Africa
Unique Rockerz- Jamaica
Triplets Ghetto Kids- Uganda
STR8 Edge Classic Dancers- Jamaica
Concert of the Year
Best of the Best-Florida
ReggaeSumfest
Rebel Salute- Jamaica
9 Miles Music Fest
Grace Jamaican Jerk Festival
Most Consistent Entertainer
Freddy McGregor
Marcia Griffiths
Yellow Man
Sly & Robbie
Inner Circle
Most Popular Sound Selector/DJ
Tony Matterhorn
FireLinks
David Rodigan
Rory-Stone Love
Mighty Crown
Best Haitian Entertainer
“Iam doing Fine” J Beatz
“She’s A Boy” 3JES
“Libre d’aimer” Djakout #1
“Fel ak tout ke’w- klass
“Je Suis”- Rutshelee Guilaume
Best Caribbean Entertainer-Sponsored By VP Records
Beres Hammond
Sean Paul
Bunji Carlin
Machel Montano
Calypso Rose
Record Producer of the Year
Rohan “Snowcone” Fuller
Diplo( Major Lazer”
Chimney Records
Specialist (Clifton Dillion)
A Chisel Pixel Production
Marcus Garvey Humanitarian Award
Capleton
Cedelia Marley
Shaggy
Vonnie McGowan
Ziggy Marley
