The world's first reggae radio station Irie FM's second live in-studio awards programme on Wednesday, was an exciting experience. For three entertaining hours, listeners glued to the Ocho Rios-based radio station, and specially invited in-house guests were provided with historical snippets on Jamaican music as the nominees in each category were announced. The historical notes putting each category in perspective, was read by Irie FM personalities.

Upon the announcement of the winners, a team of panellists comprising lecturer of Cultural Studies at the University of the West Indies, Mona, Dr Sonjah Stanley-Niaah and veteran music consultant/tour manager Copeland Forbes, gave on-the-spot analyses on each winner and their contribution to the music.

Inside of the studio, Irie FM presenters Elise Kelly, Kshema Francis and DJ Bones, guided the proceedings with lots of wit. And after explaining that the nominees were chosen by the Irie FM Awards Committee - which met several times during the year to look at songs, artistes, dances, stage shows and slangs that were exceptional - and that close to about 100 people voted in the process which lasted for about six weeks, it was time for DJ Bones to explain the process that was used in an effort to give the awards some semblance of transparency.

"The voting process was done by all the disc jocks at Irie FM, and our sister station, ZIP 103 FM. The ballots were counted by a committee chaired by the Jamaica Federation of Musicians (JFM) president Desmond Young ....," DJ Bones said. During a subsequent interview with Young, the JFM president pointed out that for the first time this year, there was an auditor.

Unlike previous years, 2007 stood out for the insurgence of female artistes and artistes with the ability to "reinvent themselves", noted to Dr Niaah. Copeland Forbes agreed with the observation.

At the end of the night's fare, produced by Irie FM disc jock Ainsworth 'Big A' Higgins, two recipients scored a 'hat-trick', having won three awards on the same night at the same competition. They are Junior Reid and the Doctor Beenie Man. The awards of Come Back Artiste of the Year, Reggae Ambassador For the Year and Best Collaboration For the Year, went to Junior Reid, who is featured along with Mims and Baby Cham on the This Is Why I'm Hot Remix.

In the case of Beenie Man, he once more capped the popular Listeners' Choice Award, in the category of Best Dressed Male of the Year, he came out ahead of Junior Reid, Mr Lexx, Assassin and Shaggy. And for The Male Deejay for the Year, Beenie Man again triumphed over his ace rivals Bounty Killer, Assassin, Vybz Kartel and Busy Signal. Tarrus Riley once again came out indisputable as the Male Singer for the Year, and it follows naturally that his anthem for the ladies, She's Royal, the Song of the Year.

Among the females, D'Angel took the Best Dressed Award over Macka Diamond, Etana, Spice and Cherine Anderson. Queen Ifrika continued to her dominance in the local music industry by winning the Female Deejay of the Year, while the Female Singer of the Year award went to Etana.

The New Artiste of the Year honour went to Munga Honourable; and Singjay of the Year Mavado copped Album of the Year for Gangster For Life: The Symphony of David Brooks. The Rhythm of the Year went to Arif Cooper's Guardian Angel, which spawned several hit tunes and was the natural recipient of this award. Voicemail came out on top for The Duo/Group of the Year. The Humanitarian Award went to the Fyah Man Capleton.

Don Corleon earned the Producer of the Year Award. Prodigal Son, topped fellow nominees Goddy Goddy, DJ Nicholas, Nana McLean and Ryan Marks as The Gospel Artiste of the Year.
Among the dances nominated in The Dance of the Year category, Tek Whey Yuhself made it over Ruum Ram, Drop Dead, Whoola Hoop and Drunken Dance. The Slang of the Year went 'To Di World'.

And if there were any surprise in the awards, then the Stage Show/Concert of the Year, came the closest, as it was the GT Taylor's Magnum Christmas Extravaganza that came out on top of Beres Hammond's A Moment in Time, Richie Stephen's Take Me Away, Rebel Salute and the Portland Jerk Festival.
Some concerns have arisen due to the fact that GT Taylor is also a disc jock on Irie FM. There have been questions surrounding why was he nominated, some implying that nepotism could have been at work. The Sunday Observer sought and got a response from the man behind the awards, the Big A, who defended the method used in the selection process.

"The integrity of the awards is without question," he told the Sunday Observer. In his quest to clarify the matter, the veteran radio jock explained. "The recognition factor, what we want to honour is excellence.

And if it so happens that excellence comes from home, you need to honour it as well. If you are a teacher and your child comes first in class, are you saying that your child should not get that first place? Let me say that Arif Cooper - who is from a competing radio station - has walked away with an award as well, The Rhythm of the Year."

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