NCARCERATED deejay Vybz Kartel was nominated in five categories at the Youth View Awards (YVAs) media launch held at the Terra Nova All-Suite Hotel, St Andrew, on Thursday night.
Kartel, who is serving a life sentence for his role in the disappearance of Clive ‘Lizard’ Williams, was nominated for Favourite Local Chart-Topping Song, Favourite Local Artiste of the Year, Favourite Dancehall Artiste, Hottest Summer Song of the Year, and Favourite Musical Collaboration.
The deejay earned the biggest cheer of the evening with his nomination in the Favourite Local Chart-Topping Song category with Miami Vice Episode.
Kartel (given name Adidja Palmer) has been in jail since September 2011. He is known for hits including Clarks (featuring Popcaan), Emergency and Romping Shop (done with Spice). His album, Kartel Forever Trilogy, was released last September.
Karen Clarke, CEO of An Elegant Affair Events — creators of the eight-year-old YVAs, told the Jamaica Observer the nominations represent the data collected from 14- to 24-year-olds islandwide.
“The YVAs are an unbiased voice of the youth of Jamaica,” she told the Observer.
The event is scheduled for the National Indoor Sports Arena, St Andrew, on February 21.
Meanwhile, the event saw telecoms provider LIME being named as a new sponsor.
“The YVAs is one of the most exciting and anticipated events in Jamaica. It’s very much in line with LIME’s target market,” Stephen Miller, sponsorship and events manager — LIME, told the Observer.
The company also announced that Jaheel Hyde, 17-year-old 400-metre World Junior Champion hurdler, joins their line-up of brand ambassadors. A YVAs pre-party is also planned at their Carlton Crescent head office on January 24.
There was high-energy entertainment from the LIME dancers as well as from singer Fabian ‘DeJour’ Garden, KFC On The Verge 2014 winner.
Pepsi Jamaica and Restaurants of Jamaica, holders of the KFC franchise, also recommitted their support.
Other nominees include Chronixx with eight, Popcaan seven, Konshens with four, and Ishawna, three nods.