Dancehall heavyweight Sean Paul, ‘Genashyde’ maverick Masicka and fellow hit-maker Teejay are joint nomination leaders for the 41st International Reggae and World Music Awards (IRAWMA), which announced 150 nods in 39 categories.

The leading trio carved up the lion’s share recognition at last Thursday’s (Janaury 25) glitzy ceremony for ‘reggae and world music’s biggest night of honour’ at the Chateau Mar Golf Resort in Fort Lauderdale.

The next highest number of nods went to Kittian deejay Byron Messia, Nigeria’s Burna Boy and self-proclaimed ‘Unruly Boss’ Popcaan, who each received five.

Dexta Daps, Spice and Valiant (four); as well as Beenie Man, Chronic Law, Koffee, Mavado, Davido, 450, Pablo YG, and D’Angel, who claim three respectively, lead the list of nominees.

IRAWMA organisers say music fans can place their votes for the best of 2023 entertainment on its website ahead of the awards showcase..

An extravagant IRAWMA ceremony takes place on March 22, at the Lauderhill Performing Art Center in Fort Lauderdale, with celebrity red carpet arrivals starting at 7:00pm Eastern Standard Time (EST). 

Dr Ephraim Martin, president and producer of IRAWMA, said “This is our eighth hosting of IRAWMA here in South Florida, and following the success of our milestone IRAWMA in Jamaica last year, and by the request of the people here in Florida, Martin’s International is happy to say we are back!”

“We have for over forty consecutive years, served as the only organization, honoring the best of reggae and world music’s best throughout the globe. We intend to uphold the integrity of IRAWMA by giving honors only where honors are due without compromise. This year we will be bestowing special honors to more than ten members of the music industry and/or to social justice activism.” Martin, who is celebrating his 50th anniversary in entertainment and activism, stated.

Among the announcers revealing the nominees and special honorees were Ephraim, Copeland Forbes, Freddy McGregor, Honorable, Sharon Wiles, and others.  

Voting is now open to the public at irawma.com, only one vote per person is allowed. IRAWMA warns against vote duplication, however, as attempts to do so will void one’s vote, rendering it uncounted.