Melissa ‘Vanilla’ Roberts was nominated in the 11th annual International Soca Awards as Best New Female Artist of the Year. The award ceremony is scheduled to be held at the Spice Basket, Beaulieu in Grenada on August 6.
Roberts who has been creating some stir in Guyana among her female soca artistes, is the only Guyanese performer who was nominated this year. Reigning road March King, Adrian Dutchin and songstress Celeste David were past nominees but never copped the award.
Vanilla is one of six nominees in the category going up against nominees from Trinidad and Tobago, St Lucia and St Kitts with her song ‘Piece Ah Me’ which was released last year. The soca song was produced by Burchmore Simon of Kross Kolor Records and Andy Armstrong of Barbados.
Among the nominees are Barbados international superstar and Grammy Award winner Rihanna, Wyclef Jean, Nicki Minaj, Pitbull and ISA nominated Def Jam recording artiste Trinidad James.
Topping the awards listed nominees for 2013 with nine nominations is Trinidad and Tobago Power and Groovy Soca monarch Machel Montano with Lil Rick, Bunji Garlin, Destra and Rikki Jai receiving four nominations each.
The Soca Awards Organisation (SAO) was founded in 2003 by Trinidad native entrepreneur Mr Colin ‘CJ’ Jackman and was created to bring recognition to the soca and calypso genres.
The first award ceremony was held in 2003 and by 2006 it was registered and trademarked as the International Soca Awards (ISA).
The ISA is the Caribbean’s version of the Grammy, Hip Hop, MTV and BET Awards and this year it is said to be the biggest yet featuring 34 categories including five new ones. Voting ends August 2. Guyana, let’s rally around and vote for Vanilla for Best New Soca Artiste of The Year. http://www.socaawards.com/vote.
Remember, you must vote in all the categories in order for your vote to be counted.