Vybz Kartel was the toast of the 43rd International Reggae And World Music Awards (IRAWMA), which took place on May 17 at Lauderhill Performing Arts Center in Lauderhill, South Florida.

The deejay won nine awards, two of which were shared. Among them were the Bob Marley Award for Entertainer of The Year; Peter Tosh Award for Recording Artiste of The Year, and Album of The Year for the Grammy-nominated Heart And Soul.

Although he did not attend the show, Vybz Kartel acknowledged the recognition from the IRAWMA committee on Instagram.

“Tonight I give thanks to the International Reggae and World Music Award for this incredible honour. Awards like these do more than celebrate individuals; they help preserve the heartbeat of our culture. They remind the world that reggae and dancehall are not just music…they are history, struggle, triumph, spirit and identity. To be recognised by your peers is one of the highest honours an artiste can receive, because greatness means more when it is acknowledged by those who truly understand the journey,” the post read.

Kartel also won the Gregory Isaacs Award For Best Song with God is The Greatest; Jimmy Cliff Award For Best Crossover Song; Best Male DJ/Rapper; and Best Caribbean Entertainer.

He shared Best Music Video for You Remind Me with DJ Khaled, Bounty Killer, Buju Banton, and Mavado. And for Best Collaboration (Reggae Song) for You Remind Me.

Other major winners were Shenseea (Best Female DJ/rapper), Masicka for the EP Her Name Is Love; Etana (Best Female Vocalist); Spice (Marcus Garvey Humanitarian Award); Richie Innocent (Mutabaruka Award for Best Poet/Spoken Word Entertainer); Sean Paul (Most Popular Hurricane Melissa Song, Faith We A Keep); Popcaan (Best Entertainer/Social Media Influencer); and DJ Mac for Producer of The Year.

Journeyman reggae artiste Burning Spear and Mavado were both honoured with Lifetime Achievement Awards.

Gramps Morgan of Morgan Heritage was a double winner, taking home the Jacob Miller Award for Best Male Vocalist and Best Inspirational Song for People Like You.

Special honour awards went to Burning Spear, Wayne Armond of Chalice fame, booking agent George Crooks, rapper/producer DJ Khaled, Howard Chung of VP Records and Mavado.

Gospel singer Dr Carlene Davis was awarded with the Shelvin L M Hall Best Gospel Entertainer Award, which recognises excellence and pioneers.

“Receiving this award is a reminder of the purposes of God in one’s life and what I am called to do. It’s about staying on course and remaining focused on one’s assignment,” Davis told the Jamaica Observer.

Fellow nominees included Papa San, Judith Gayle, Kevin Downswell, Prince Saj, DJ Nicholas, and Jason Mighty.

Davis’s winning album Songs of Zion also scored #1 in the US with title track #1 in New York and #7 in South Florida.

— Additional reporting by Kediesha Perry

From left: Dr Ephraim Martin, founder of IRAWMA; Dr Carlene Davis; and Tommy Cowan on the IRAWMA red carpet.