The Youth View Awards celebrated their 10th Anniversary last Saturday at the National Indoor Sports Centre. This was done by offering its audience an enticing mixture with many additives. These ranged from the simple instant photo booth upon entrance, to many tasty appetizers offered in the “swag lounge”.

While the layout hadn’t changed from the last staging the show provided exciting performances and well deserved awards. The show was hosted by the illustrious former beauty queen Yendi Phillips and resident YVAs host and disc jock Bambino. They kept the audience’s attention with witty banter and wise cracks from start to finish and closed the show with a well choreographed and enthralling dance performance.

The performances of the night ranged from gospel artistes such as Chozenn, Kevin Downswell and Rondell Positive who transformed the National Indoor Sports Centre into a place of worship; to Dancehall favourites such as Shenseea, D-Major, Xclusive and the Bruk Back singer Razor B who said he was “excited to perform and shell down the stage, and get the ladies to break backs”. Other performances featured International superstar Nylah (formerly of Brick and Lace) who is known for her single “Light it up” with Major Lazer. The highlights of the evening were the performances from legends such as Freddie McGregor and the YVA’s Icon Award recepient Beenie Man as they had the crowd dancing and singing a lot to their favourite hits.

One surprise was when young fashionista and instagram model Shanice Allen was awarded Female Fashion Icon of the year over seasoned greats such as Miss Kitty and Spice. Young showstopper Shenseea who was nominated for the first time won three awards including break out artiste of the year.

Incarcerated dancehall mogul Vybz Kartel swept up most of the awards winning five of the seven categories nominated for, while his colleague and touted rival Alkaline while nominated for nine categories won only two.

The audience were however prepared to say goodbye to the ‘Youth’ View Awards and from 2018 onwards say hello to ‘Your View Awards’, not only catering to youth but to everyone who fit the artistic requirements of music, sport and fashion. “We’re proud to have lasted for ten years and we look forward to the Your View Awards which will be more inclusive and cater to a wider market” CEO of An Elegant Affair Events and the creative mind behind the YVAs Karen Clarke said.

From us at teenAGE, Congrats to Karen Clarke and the YVAs crew on their tenth anniversary and we look forward to the Your View Awards 2018.