NEWCOMER Valiant was the big winner in the music category of the inaugural MECA Awards. The event took place on Wednesday, December 28, at the Marketplace Entertainment Centre for the Arts in St Andrew.

Awards were given out in 32 categories (winners are determined by online voting). Valiant was the winner in the Breakout Celebrity and Best New Artiste categories.

Broadcaster Rosemary Murray-Tingling is the Programming and Production Manager at Whirlwind International.

“Overall, the event surpassed our expectations. We thought if we got 10,000 fans to register and vote, we would have a good sample to represent the industry. So, when we blew past that and saw thousands registering and voting, we were extremely grateful,” said Murray-Tingling.

She continued, “The only disappointment was the amount of winners who weren’t able to make it, so we will host them at another time.”

Among those in attendance were social media personality and philanthropist Aunty Donna, Dancehall Queen Carlene, members of the Fix podcast, Dutty Berry, members of Chop E Line Records and Orville Expressions.

Murray-Tingling shared what she felt were the highlights of the event.

“It’s tough to say but watching Crystal (daughter of Beenie Man and Dancehall Queen Carlene) less than 48 hours after her cousin, Joe Mersa Marley passed away, suddenly set the tone and seeing the promoters of Sandz going from airport road disaster to winning was also a highlight,” she said.

The Sandz team won Festival/Concert of the Year.

“Jamaican entertainment won big though because we had all genres under one roof,” said Murray-Tingling.

Awards were presented in categories, including music, social media, events promotion, production, television and radio.

Murray-Tingling said the MECA Awards will become an annual event.

“Definitely, it will be an annual event along with a nomination party and winners reception to be added.”

Asked how the idea for the awards came about, Murray-Tingling said, “Our venue hosts all genres, gospel, comedy, theatre, dancehall, reggae and we have grown to become a major Entertainment venue in Jamaica in a relatively short time. We couldn’t do it without the artistes and social media influencers, so we wanted to say thanks by honouring them.”

Other winners at the 2022 MECA Awards include:

Tarik ‘Rvssian’ Johnson – Best Producer of the Year

Likkle Miss (remix) by Skeng and Nicki Minaj – Best Collaboration of the Year

MECA Icon Award – Dancehall Queen Carlene

Lifetime Achievement Award – Beenie Man and Bounty Killer

Best Video of the Year – Bounce – Ding Dong

Best Online Show of the Year – The Bartender – Orville ‘Expressions’ Hall

Female Dancehall Artiste of the Year – Spice

Male Dancehall Artiste of the Year – Skeng

Female Reggae Artiste of the Year – Koffee

Male Reggae Artiste of the Year – Romain Virgo

Best Gospel Artiste of the Year – Kevin Downswell

Entertainment Podcast – Kareem Bwoyatingz – After Dark

Event of the Year – I Love Soca

Theatre Production of the Year – Guilty with Explanation – Patrick Brown

Disc Jock of the Year – Shukkle Bus

Sound of the Year – Chromatic