The big winner at the West Indian Music Awards was Mahendra Ramkellawan who walked away with four awards: best song of the year with “Dem Ah Watch Meh”; best promoter; best chutney/soca artiste, and best music video. While he would have copped the awards, his rivals in the respective categories were not revealed to the audience, leaving them with questions.
Bhisham Mohamed was awarded Best Entertainment Reporter for 2012, outshining three of his other colleagues. He was nominated for the award, along with Alex Wayne of the Guyana Chronicle, Rabindranath Rooplall of Kaieteur News, and Jairo Rodrigues of Stabroek News.
Lindener George Anthony Abrams copped the Best Newcomer prize, beating out his competition Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company’s jingle and song contest winner Brandon Harding.
The award for Best Television Personality was conferred on Mondale Smith from BTV Channel 2. He was nominated for the award, along with Rawle Ferguson from Hits and Jams Television (HJ) and WR Reaz from National Television Network (NTN).
The Best Band award was given to the Shakti Stings Orchestra, while its founder and leader, Cecelia Samaroo received the Life Achievement Award for her sterling contributions.
Curtis Armstrong (DJ Casual) received the award for Best Radio Deejay, while DJ Stress was awarded the Best Music Deejay award. Jumo Primo was adjudged the Best Soca singer; Mystic copped the Best Reggae Singer award, and Adrian Dutchin was given the award for Best Stage Performance.
WR Reaz was recognised as the Best TV Host, while the Classique Dance Company was declared the Best Dance Group, defeating Apsara.
Two other life achievement awards were given for humanitarian services to Pandit Sugrim and Margret Lawrence. In the world of beauty, Miss United Nations Soyini Fraser and Miss Indian Worldwide 2012, Alana Seebarran were recognised as beauty ambassadors.