THE Jamaica Reggae Industry Association (JaRIA) awards for Breakthrough Artiste of the Year and Song of the Year will be made known today (Sunday) during the virtual presentation of its annual Honour Awards.

The awards ceremony will be streamed on various online platforms starting at 3:00 pm Jamaica time.

These two categories are the only two which have been put to a public vote, with the announcement to be made during the live stream. Nominees for Song of the Year are Go Down Deh by Spice, Shaggy and Sean Paul; Ambition – Yaksta; West Indies – Koffee; Dirt Bounce – Laa Lee; Run – Shenseea; and Virgin – Jah Vinci. Nominees for Breakthrough Artiste of the Year are Yaksta, Joby Jay, Skillibeng, Moyann, Nation Boss and D’Yani.

JaRIA will be honouring the exceptional contribution of 26 industry stalwarts and icons in 16 categories. The majority of categories were selected as a result of the rigour applied by the awards selection committee.

This year, in keeping with Jamaica’s 60th anniversary of Independence, three special Diamond awards will be conferred on icons of Jamaica’s artistic and cultural life. The recipients are first National Hero Marcus Garvey, folklorist Louise “Miss Lou” Bennett Coverley, and reggae king Bob Marley.

Viewers can expect a high-quality and engaging show, with musical tributes arranged by Michael “Ibo” Cooper, Ewan Simpson, Alex Martin Blanken, Everol “Stingwray” Wray and Dean Fraser; as well as performances by Hector “Roots” Lewis, Dean Fraser, Jah Lil, Knixx Taylor, Irie Kreshna, StingWray, Nickette Morgan-Williams, Deon Silvera and Steven Golding — with the full musical support of the JaRIA JamRock Orchestra.

The event will also feature hosting appearances by specially selected front-line workers, farmers, entertainers, educators and transportation workers.

This year’s list of recipients is headed by Pama Records, which will receive the Lifetime Achievement Award. Guitarist Earl “Chinna” Smith will being recognised for mentorship; audio engineers Rohan Dwyer and Paul Barclay will be awarded for their contribution to that field; while producers Tony Kelly and Neil Fraser (Mad Professor) will also be awarded. Producer Mikie Bennett is to be recognised this year for his contribution to the music as a songwriter.

Other awardees will include singer Hopeton Lewis, producer extraordinaire Lee “Scratch” Perry, sound systems The Mighty Crown and Lloyd Matador, and instrumentalists David Madden and Hux Brown.

Barrington Levy, the late Jacob Miller, JC Lodge, The Abyssinians, and show band Ruff Kut are also among this year’s honorees.