WITH a total of five nods, female dancehall deejay Spice leads in nominations for the Music Industry Achievement (MIA) awards scheduled for Courtleigh Auditorium in New Kingston on April 24.

Spice, whose given name is Grace Hamilton, was nominated in the categories Female Artiste of the Year, Best Collaboration of the Year, Best Dressed Female of the Year, Dancehall Song of the Year, and Video of the Year.

This is not the first time Spice has led in nomination categories for a local music award. The recently concluded Youth View Awards saw her receiving a total of eight. She, however, only won one.

Other entertainers with more than one MIA nominations include Vybz Kartel and Ding Dong with three; while Ishawna, Demarco, Chronixx, Popcaan, Bugle has two nods each. Nineteen awards will be handed.

Event conceptualiser Nakesha ‘Queenie’ Doyley said the awards, now in its fifth year, was designed to recognise persons who have contributed significantly towards the entertainment industry.

Doley said each nominee were selected by a panel of persons from the entertainment industry.

She said the public will be very instrumental in selecting the winners.

“Almost everything is left to the public, therefore, we urge everyone to vote and select their favourite artiste or entertainment personality at www.qmiaradio.com,” said event organiser.

Voting closes on March 31.

Prior stagings MIA awards saw a low turnout of winners to collect their awards, but Doyley said she is hoping to see an improvement this year.

“I know some of the nominees will have other engagements which will prevent them from being present. But I am requesting that they send a representative to collect on their behalf,” she said.

The ceremony will feature live performances from Lincoln 3 Dot, Mr Lexx, Razor B and others.