FIVE years after his incarceration, Vybz Kartel was the biggest winner at the 10th annual Youth View Awards (YVA), held at the National Indoor Sports Arena in St Andrew on Saturday.

Vybz Kartel, who is serving a life sentence for murder, received five awards from his eight nominations in seven categories.

He won Favourite Local Artiste (Male); Hottest Summer Song; Favourite Local Chart-Topping Song for Fever; Favourite Dancehall Artiste; and shared Favourite Musical Collaboration with Shenseea for Loodi.

Each announcement was met with thunderous applause.

Shenseea, who received three trophies –— Breakout Celebrity of the Year; Young Hot and Hype (Female); and Favourite Music Collab with Vybz Kartel, said she was elated.

“I’m just so overwhelmed to win these awards,” she said.

Alkaline, who got 10 nominations, won two trophies —Young Hot and Hype (Male) and shared honours with Jay Will Films in the Favourite Local Music Video category with City.

Only one other person got two awards — disc jock Creep Chromatic who took home Favourite Party Selector and Favourite Sound System for Chromatic Disco.

Beenie Man was named YVA Icon for his contribution to local music and the event.

Despite a late start, a minor technical hiccup to get things rolling, and few artistes present to accept their awards, the production was smooth.

The evening was anchored by a spectacular opening and closing dance routine. The latter saw host Yendi Phillipps strutting her dancing chops, delighting fans.

Beenie Man gave a sterling performance with a musical trip down memory lane, while Kevin Downswell delivered a contemporary twist that had patrons on their feet.

Things got even more intense when he was joined by Rondell Positive.

Veteran Freddie McGregor and D Major also gave a great set. There were performances from Xklusive, Romain Virgo, Nyla, Chozenn, Shenseea and Adahzeh.

Karen Clarke, YVA conceptualiser, said she was undeterred by the absence of artistes to accept awards.

“It’s a not a problem, you know. This is to celebrate their fans and hopefully they’ll see the importance of it,” she told Jamaica Observer.

However, next year she hopes the event would be rebranded “Your View Awards”.

“Our fans have evolved. They’ve grown up. We’ve grown up. We want the event to not only be for the youth, but for the millennials as well so this will broaden our reach,” she said.

Winners in the following categories were as follows:

Favourite Dance Group: Ravers Clavers

Favourite Local Music Producer: DJ Frass

Favourite Artiste Female (local): Spice

Favourite Dancer (Male): Ding Dong

Favourite Cultural Artiste: Chronixx

Favourite Local TV Show: Magnum Kings and Queens of Dancehall

Fashion Icon (Male): Quite Perry

Fashion Icon (Female): Shanice Allen

Favourite Local International Artiste: Popcaan

Favourite Gospel Artiste: Kevin Downswell

Favourite Breakout Youth Athlete (Male): Javon Francis

Favourite Breakout Youth Athlete (Female): Toni-Ann Williams

Favourite Social Media Personality: Bad Gal DyDy

Favourite Legendary Artiste: Beres Hammond

Favourite Dance Move: LOL by the Tuff A Lie Crew

Celebrity Role Model: Usain Bolt

Favourite Video Director: RD Studios

Favourite Radio DJ: ZJ Chrome