THE 2011 staging of the International Reggae and World Music Awards (IRAWMA) heads south to the twin-island Republic of Trinidad and Tobago.

Set for May of next year, the decision was taken recently, by the producers of IRAWMA — Martin’s International and Associates (MIA) Board of Managers following a meeting connecting members in Chicago, New York, London and other cities.

More than twelve other countries were reportedly vying for the rights to host the event which is now in its 30th year.

According to Ephraim Martin, President of MIA, “there could be no better time for the annual IRAWMA to be hosted in T&T than next year at a time when Chutney music will be introduced as a world music category in IRAWMA. Over the years several sons and daughters of TNT were awarded at the annual IRAWMA in various cities. Some were named to the Hall of Fame/Lifetime Awards, among them Roaring Lion, Lord Kitchener, Black Stalin, Calypso Rose, David Rudder, Super Blue and Mighty Sparrow who was also named Master of the Caribbean in 2009.”

One of Trinidad’s favourite sons, Machel Montano, has been among the top winners the past three consecutive years at IRAWMA which was held at the Apollo Theatre and York College Performing Arts Center, in New York

“For more than 20 years since the annual IRAWMA started travelling from city to city, Mike Sears, a radio disc jockey in Chicago, Calypso Rose, Mighty Sparrow and scores of other people from T&T have been requesting that we take IRAWMA to that country.

According to Martin, in the days ahead the nomination ballot will be issued to Caribbean/Reggae and world music experts worldwide to start their nomination process which must be returned by the January 15h, 2011 deadline. And in a few weeks there will be an official launch to give further details on the 30th IRAWMA.