Teejay and Byron Messia, who had two of the biggest dancehall songs in 2023, won three awards at last Friday’s International Reggae And World Music Awards (IRAWMA), which took place at Lauderhill Performing Arts Center in South Florida.
Teejay’s wins came for Best Song, Best Male Deejay/rapper and Best Collaborated Song (Drift Remix with Davido).
Byron Messia won for Best Crossover Song (Talibans with Burna Boy), Best New Entertainer, and Best Music Video (Talibans II with Burna Boy).
Sean Paul, Christopher Martin, and Pablo YG each won two awards. Sean Paul’s wins came for Entertainer of The Year, for which he received the Bob Marley Award, and Recording Artiste of The Year, which earned him the Peter Tosh Award.
Martin, one of dancehall music’s leading acts, won for Best Gospel Song with Goodness of God, and Best Male Vocalist.
Pablo YG, another rising star, won the Best Teen Entertainer and Most Promising Entertainer categories.
Etana won the Best Female Vocalist category, while Spice was selected Best Female DJ/Rapper.
A number of stalwarts were recognised for their contribution to the reggae industry, among them artistes Rita Marley, Freddie McGregor, Jacob Miller, Glen Washington, Papa San and Honorebel; Chris Chin, CEO of VP Records; and broadcasters Amy Wachtel and Clinton Lindsay.
The evening’s high points included tribute performances by Sharon Marley, daughter of Rita Marley; and Chino McGregor, son of Freddie McGregor. Both did splendid renditions of their parents’ songs, including Thank You Jah, One Draw, Prophecy, and Push Come to Shove.
American civil rights lawyer Ben Crump was also given a special award.
The brainchild of Jamaican journalist Ephraim Martin, the IRAWMA was first staged in 1982.

— Howard Campbell