International Reggae and World Music Awards nominates Stonebwoy, Burna Boy and others

The Best African Dance-hall Entertainer category features, Stonebwoy, Epixode, Nigeria’s Patoranking, Burna Boy and last years’s double award winner, Shatta Wale. While, DJ Switch, the twelve-year-old Ghanaian DJ, was also nominated in the Best Young Entertainer category at this year’s IRAWMAs. She got the nod alongside seven-year-old Ngozi Wright (Jamaica), 16-year-old musician Wayne J (Jamaica), 13-year-old dancehall act Vybz T (Zimbabwe) and Nesa Khonesa.

Multiple award winner, Stonebwoy is one of Ghana’s leading reggae/dancehall artists. His debut in 2009 has been followed by several singles and four studio albums including collaborations with musicians such as Binnie Man, Burna Boy, Sean Paul and others. He features at various music festivals and concerts around the world including the prestigious Rototom Sunsplash in Spain.

Since Shatta wale’s 2013 song ‘Dancehall King,’ he has been grabbing headlines for various reasons, prominently his rivalry with Stonebwoy. Formally known as Bandana, his style of dancehall and sometimes outlandish conducts has earned him fans around the continent and beyond. He announced his nomination on social media, it reads “Thank you IRAWMA Awards, this year I am coming home Jamaica Jamaica.”

Patoranking is one of Nigeria’s outstanding dancehall musicians, he has been able to bridge afrobeats with his style of music, creating a unique rhythm, he has collaborated with artists that include Wizkid, Timaya, Sarkodie, Tiwa Savage, Diamond Platnumz and many others.

Epixode, real name Theophilus Nii Arday burst into the scene in 2013 with his single ‘Turn Up’. He got his first international award when he won Africa’s most promising act at the African Youth Choice Awards 2015 held in Nigeria. He won the reggae dancehall video of the year at the BASS awards 2015 with his second single ‘Avatar.’

Nigeria’s Burna Boy is having this nomination, which is one of the numerous he has bagged in the last few months. The Afro-fusion star has been winning awards at several ceremonies around the world. Recently, his nomination in the World Music Category of the 2020 Grammys was won by Angélique Kidjo.

The International Reggae and World Music Awards (IRAWMA) which was established in 1982 to acknowledge and honour the accomplishments and contributions of reggae and world music artists, including songwriters, performers, promoters and musicians. The impetus behind the award scheme is its commitment to promoting greater participation and acceptance of Reggae, Caribbean and World Music, Internationally.

Shatta Wale, beat Sean Paul and others in the 2019 edition to pick up two IRAWMA awards - He was nominated for Best Afrobeat Entertainer and Best Music Video with his hit song ‘Gringo‘.