Dancehall artiste Shenseea is the leading nominee in the Jamaica International Music Awards (JIMA).

The Hit and Run singjay secured six nominations.

Dancehall sensation Masicka is a multiple nominee with four nods, while Dexta Daps, Armanii, Damian “Jr Gong” Marley, and queen of the dancehall Spice each picked up three nominations.

Securing two nominations were Bugle, Romain Virgo, Pablo YG, YG Marley, Joby Jay, 450, Chronic Law, Kraff, Beres Hammond, Nigy Boy, Lila Ike, Vanessa Bling, and Jquan.

The event is scheduled to be held on February 28, 2025 in Fort Lauderdale.

Lisa Barnes, a board member of the JIMA, told the Jamaica Observer’ Splash on Thursday: “The awards seek to honour those who have paved the way in Jamaican music as well as to recognise new artistes making a name for themselves in reggae, dancehall, and gospel. We recognised a need for an award ceremony that focuses on the genres that are unique to Jamaican culture. There were awards that have a reggae category, there are awards for Caribbean music as a whole, but nothing to celebrate and honour reggae and dancehall.”

She shared how the nominees are arrived at and how the winners are determined.

“The nominees are selected by a committee of industry professionals. The winners are chosen by the people. One vote per IP address,” said Barnes.

The first staging of the JIMA was held in Sunrise, Florida, on February 28, 2022. It was again held in 2023. No awards ceremony was held this year.

Asked how the event has grown over its two previous stagings, Barnes said: “We have grown from an invite-only first staging to open to the public and now we have a new and larger venue.”

Veteran reggae singer Freddie McGregor, Lady G, and Gramps Morgan are among the honorees at next year’s event.

Lady G, Jigsy King, Worl-A-Girl, Little Hero, Colin Roach, Ras Shiloh, Galaxy P, Mikeylous, Lymie, and J’Aren are some of the artistes confirmed to perform.

Said Barnes: “The awards show and banquet promises to be an elegant evening with great performances, fine dining, and an interesting awards ceremony that not only highlights the winners but also pays tribute to some of the pioneers in the industry.”

Some of the categories in the 2025 Jamaica International Music Awards are:

Best Male Dancehall Album

Dexta Daps – Trilogy

Govana – Legacy

Gyptian -Guarded

Masicka – Generation of Kings

Pablo YG – Rich N Richer

Rygin King – Recovery

Vybz Kartel – First Week Out

Best Male Reggae Album

Bugle – Apex

Eesah – Deep Medz

Mortimer – From Within

Ras Shiloh – See It Deh

Romain Virgo – The Gentleman

Teflon – Fugeo King

Best Male Dancehall Single

450 – Wild N Rich

Aidonia- Bottles

Armanii- Haad

Chronic Law -Weekend ( Bup Bup)

Jquan- Chakka

Kraff- Nursery Rhymes

Masicka – 20 Matic

Rajahwild- Go Go

Squash- Big Breeze

Valiant – Bubble Gum

Best Male Reggae Single

Beres Hammond – Let Me Help You

Damian “JR Gong” Marley – Wisemen

Leroy Sibbles – Women Needs Love

Morgan Heritage – Solid Woman

Protoje – 30 million

YG Marley – Praise Jah in the Moonlight

Best Female Reggae Single

Joby Jay- Queen

Lila Ike – Good and Great

Nadine Sutherland – Can’t Stop Me from Smiling

Shenseea – Neva Neva

Shuga – My Journey

Worl-A-Girl – Necessary

Best Female Reggae/Dancehall Album

Etana – Nectar of The Gods

Shenseea – Never Gets Late Here

Spice – Mirror 25

Best Female Dancehall Single

Ikaya – God Favourite

Neelah -Watch Mi a Shake

Shaneil Muir -Try Again

Shenseea – Hit and Run

Spice – 2085 Tea

Best Collaboration

Beres Hammond & Sean Paul- Tender Tender

Bugle ft Buju Banton and Damian Marley – Thank You Lord

Dexta Daps and Jada Kingdom – Purge

Jashii x Lila Ike- Blessings

Kranium x Chronic Law – Higher Life

Romain Virgo and Masicka – Been there before

Rygin King and Damian ‘Jr Gong’ Marley -Things Done Change

Shenseea and Masicka- Hit and Run

Vanessa Bling x Dexta Daps – High School Love

Best New Male Artist

Armanii

Jquan

J’Calm

Nhance

Nigy Boy

Best New Female Artist

Aiesha

Aza Lineage

Joby Jay

Neelah

Best Male Gospel Artist

Johnmark Wiggan

Oshane Mais

Prince Saj

Ryan Mark

Best Female Gospel Artist

Alicia Taylor

Flavia Beswick

Petra Kaye

Rhoda Isabella

Best Gospel Group

Christafari

Levy Heritage

The Grace Thrillers

Song of the Year

450 – Wild N Rich

Armanii – Haad

Ikaya – Dis Loyalty

Jada Kingdom – Which Gal

Jquan-Chakka

Kraff- Nursery Rhymes

Nigy Boy-Continent

Pablo YG – Rich N Richer

Shenseea – Hit and Run

Shenseea – Neva Neva

Spice – Ex Boyfriend

Vanessa Bling- Beautiful

YG Marley- Praise Jah In The Moonlight