For a second-consecutive year, Alkaline leads in nominations of the rebranded Your View Awards (YVAs). The announcement was made at the event’s launch held at  Jamaica Pegasus hotel in New Kingston on Thursday evening.

The dancehall deejay received seven nods in categories including: Favourite Local Artiste (Male), Favourite Caribbean Artiste; Favourite Dancehall Artiste; Hot Summer Song Red Eyes and Favourite Local Chart-Topping Song. Last year, Alkaline secured 10 nods in nine categories but failed to win any.

Spice secured six nods, while Popcaan and Aidonia are tied with five each.  

Newcomer Yanique “Curvy Diva” Barrett has four nominations. Earning three nods each are Ding Dong, Chronixx, and soca stars Machel Montano and Nailah Blackman. The latter is slated to perform at the awards show on February 24 at National Indoor Sports Centre in St Andrew.

Winners will be selected by votes via the website www.yourviewawards.com.

Karen Clarke, YVAs’ principal and CEO of An Elegant Affair, said this year’s inaugural Lifetime Achievement Award will go to veteran musicians Sly Dunbar and Robbie Shakespeare.

“We are super excited about doing it. When we started to do the research on them and really got to find out the amazing work they have done over the years, we realised they haven’t been celebrated as yet and this is the perfect platform to do so — especially with the direction we’re headed in,” Clarke told the Jamaica Observer at the launch.

Florida-based reggae singer Skip Marley was announced as the YVAs International Ambassador and will be presenting at the show.

“He believes in the vision of the evolution of the YVAs and he supports what we are doing. He’s gonna help us spread the word about what’s going on with the YVAs and we’re excited to have him, and he’s excited to come,” said Clarke.

Clarke was brought to tears after being praised by Howard McIntosh, chairman of the Ministry of Entertainment’s advisory board, for her contribution to Jamaica’s culture through the YVAs, which has been added to the Reggae Month calendar.

“I was moved because in the 11 years that we’ve been doing this, no one has ever said that to us in that capacity. Someone actually stopped and looked at what we’ve done. Trust me, it hasn’t been easy, but God knows the plans He has and so everything is in divine order,” she added.

Your View Awards will kick off with a private industry party on Thursday, February 22. On Friday, Vibrations, a live music show, will be held by the Kingston Harbour and will feature hip hop and soca violinist, Mapy.

The awards show will unfold on Saturday. World of Dance finalists Kinjaz, Ding Dong, Yanique “Curvy Diva” Barrett and Shane O are scheduled to perform. Saphed, the post-party, will take place at Jamaica Pegasus on Sunday to close off the event.  

Categories include:

Favourite Local Theatre Actor (Male): Keith “Shebada” Ramsey, Akeem Mignott, Glen Campbell, and Oliver Samuels;

Favourite Local Theatre Actor (Female): Camille Davis, Sakina Deer, Dahlia Harris and Andrea “Delcita” Wright.

Favourite Local Theatre Play: Wah Sweet Nanny Goat, Frank the Freak, and Matey Chronicles;

Favourite Dancehall Artiste: Alkaline, Popcaan, Spice, Aidonia and Shenseea;

Hot Summer Song: Yeah Yeah (Aidonia), Fling Yuh Shoulda (Ding Dong), Red Eyes (Alkaline) and Lifestyle (Yanique “Curvy Diva” Barrett).

Favourite Reggae Artiste: Chronixx, Romain Virgo, Jah Cure, Jahmiel, Protoje, and Damian Marley;

Favourite Caribbean Artiste: Alkaline, Popcaan, Spice, Machel Montano and Aidonia;

Favourite Local Album of the Year: Chronology (Chronixx), Stony Hill (Damian Marley), Be Yourself (Bugle) and Intro (Dexter Daps);

Favourite Local Chart-Topping Song: Yeah Yeah (Aidonia), Likes (Chronixx), She Nah Leggo (Lanz) and Pretty Girl Team (Alkaline);

Favourite Local Artiste (Female): Spice, Shenseea, Ishawna, Tifa, Yanique “Curvy Diva” Barrett;

Favourite Local Artiste (Male): Alkaline, Popcaan, Romain Virgo, Konshens, Aidonia;

Favourite Soca Song of the Year: Split In The Middle (Freezy), Workout (Kes and Nailah Blackman), Fast Wine (Machel Montano), and Big Bad Soca (Bunji Garlin);

Breakout Celebrity of the Year: Jada Kingdom, Lanz, Yanique “Curvy Diva” Barrett and Govana;

Favourite Soca Artiste: Machel Montano, Bunji Garlin, Destra, Kes the Band and Nailah Blackman;

Favourite Music Local or Regional Collaboration: We Pray by Dre Island featuring Popcaan, No Worries by Spice and D’Angel, Workout by Kes the Band featuring Nailah Blackman, Badness by Mavado and Jahmiel and Gyalis Pro by Sean Paul and Alkaline;

Favourite Dance Move: Fling by Kool Ravers, Genna Bounce by Ravers Clavers, Lebeh Lebeh by Ding Dong and Rock the world by Shakespeare.

Favourite Gospel Artiste: Kevin Downswell, Lucas Music, Marion Hall, Jermaine Edwards and Chozenn;

Favourite Dancer (Male): Ding Dong, Pancho, Kool Ravers.

Favourite Dancer (Female): Dancing Rebel, Desha Ravers, DHQ Sher, Dani Boo, DHQ Danger;

Favourite Video Director: Jay Will, Ruption, Xtreme Arts,

Favourite Music Producer: Troyton, Romeich, DJ Frass, Notnice, Chimney Records.