Damian ‘Junior Gong’ Marley, Tarrus Riley and Mr Vegas won two awards each at the 32nd annual International Reggae and World Music Awards (IRAWMA) at the Coral Springs Centre for the Arts in Fort Lauderdale in Florida on Saturday.
Of the 50 categories, Marley won for Entertainer of the Year and Best Crossover Song for his collab effort with Skrillex. Riley copped the Best Male Vocalist and Most Cultural/Educational Entertainer while Mr Vegas secured the Best Song for his Sweet Jamaica and Best Music Video for Bruk It Down.
“It’s a great feeling to know that when you put out the effort to make good music, it pays off,” Mr Vegas said.
The Best Female Vocalist Award went to Etana and the Best Album category was won by reggae icon Jimmy Cliff.
In February, Cliff won the Grammy Award for Best Reggae Album for the album Rebirth.
Other winners for the evening were Richie Stephens, Konshens, Lady Saw, Mutabaruka, Morgan Heritage, Freddie McGregor, Romain Virgo, Dean Fraser, Third World and Stephen ‘Di Genius’ McGregor.
Prime minister Edward Seaga, Inner Circle, Duckie Simpson, Lloyd ‘Joe Fraser’ Campbell were made Lifetime Hall of Famers. Firebrand artiste Capleton was bestowed the Marcus Garvey Humanitarian Award.