Burning Spear and Vybz Kartel, artists representing different aspects and eras of Jamaican music, will be the toast of the 43rd International Reggae And World Music Awards (IRAWMA), scheduled for the Lauderhill Performing Arts Center in South Florida on May 17.
Ephraim Martin, who started the annual show in Chicago in 1982, was the main speaker at its launch at the R Hotel in Kingston on February 19th.
He pointed to Burning Spear’s monumental achievements and Kartel’s remarkable 2025 for them receiving a Lifetime Achievement Award and 11 nominations, respectively.
A two-time Grammy Award winner, the 80-year-old Spear is among a handful of survivors from the roots-reggae explosion that took place in Jamaica during the 1970s. He is best known for ‘Marcus Garvey’, the 1975 album that salutes the legendary Pan African leader.
Kartel, released from prison in 2024 after serving 13 years, maintained his reputation as dancehall’s most marketable artist. He did sold-out shows in Kingston, New York City, South Florida and Toronto in 2025.
Some of the categories he is nominated in are Entertainer of The Year, Recording Artist of The Year, Best Song (‘God is The Greatest’), Best Album/CD (‘Heart & Soul’) and Best Crossover Entertainer.
Sean Paul earns eight nominations including for Entertainer of The Year, Recording Artist of The Year, Best Song (‘Let it Talk to Me’ featuring Inna) and Best Crossover Entertainer.
There are 43 categories in the 2026 IRAWMA. Special awards will be presented to veteran booking agent/show promoter George Crooks and Howard Chung of VP Records.
Winners will be decided by online voting which ends on May 5.