Chicago, IL/New York, NY) - The 27th Annual International Reggae and World Music Awards (IRAWMA), returns to Harlem at the Apollo Theatre on Sunday, May 4.

MAVADO... has five nods from IRAWMA

Leading with the most nominations for 2007 is Tarrus Riley, with a mega seven nods, including Best Male Vocalist and Best Song, for the female anthem She's Royal. Gangster DJ Mavado has five nods from IRAWMA for Best Male DJ, Best Album, Best Recording Artiste(s), Songwriter of the Year, and Community Service. Beenie Man, Buju Banton, Stephen Marley, Shaggy, and Sean Kingston all received four 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 preliminary list of performers includes 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.

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.

American Airlines, which has served the Caribbean region for more than 30 years, is again the official airline sponsor of the music awards.

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