JAMAICA | IRAWMA to Celebrate 40 Amazing Years in Jamaica, May 2023

NEW YORK, NY, January 2022 - The 2022 edition and the 40th anniversary of the long-running International Reggae and World Music Awards, (IRAWMA) initially planned to be held on May 1st this year, has been postponed to May 7 2023, when the event is expected to be held in Kingston, Jamaica

The announcement was made by Dr Ephraim Martin, President of Martin’s international and Chairman for the Black Heroes Matter Coalition, who gave the news, while revealing the 2021 nominees for the 40th Anniversary of the Chicago Music Awards, via a Zoom Press Conference, on Tuesday afternoon at the Martin’s International office in Chicago.

Since the start of the COVID-19 global pandemic, the Chicago based Martin’s International has been forced to host its two of its most popular award events, the annual Chicago Music Awards (CMA), and the International Reggae and World Music Awards (IRAWMA), virtually.

This year IRAWMA hoped to host a live audience comprised of attendees from around the world, in Kingston Jamaica to celebrate the 40th anniversary. However, with the increasing cases of COVID-19 and the uncertainties that have come with that, along with the restrictions that might still be in place in May, organizers felt that they would not be able to plan and deliver the kind of event that would honour this milestone celebration. It was therefore decided that the best course of action was to postpone the celebrations to next year.

“People all over the world have been enquiring about the anniversary event that was scheduled for May 1, 2022, in Kingston, Jamaica”, stated Dr Martin. “Some even started to make plans and reservations to attend, but are very worried about the Omicron virus and its global effects.

As we would like to present an event that is not only spectacular, but also as safe as we can make it, the Directors of Martin’s International and our IRAWMA Advisors, agreed it is best to advance IRAWMA’s date to May 7th of 2023. For those who indicated that they had already made reservations, we will make sure that their bookings with us, are honoured for next year.

With regards to the IRAWMA nominations, Dr Martin advised that as the nominations had not yet started, IRAWMA will award the best of the two combined years, 2021 and 2022 in the 2023 show.

He further advised that in order for the submissions to be eligible for nomination all material must have been released between January 2021 and December 2022. He urged the music industry experts/nominators, and the entertainment media to start taking into consideration the best of 2021 and also begin to look at the releases for 2022, based on IRAWMA’s criteria.

Also revealed at the conference was the fact that the IRAWMA.com website will be launched within the next two weeks and will be consistently updated to become a repository of information on IRAWMA, and it’s amazing and historic journey over the last 40 years.

The marketing campaign for the 2023 show will start immediately through the website and social media channels. Additionally in order to facilitate easy bookings for hotel accommodation and tours, the organizers have engaged a destination management company to curate special packages inclusive of show tickets, accommodation and tours, and these will also be available on the website in the near future.

“We look forward to welcoming representatives from more than 40 countries to join us on May 7th, 2023, for a grand 40th IRAWMA celebration in Jamaica”, commented Dr Martin, “so we are making sure that they not only have the information early, but will also facilitate them in finding appropriate accommodations, and give them an opportunity to enjoy the spectacular attractions and activities that Jamaica has to offer”.

The conference ended having announced some 170 nominees’ individuals/groups/bands in 36 categories for the Chicago Music Awards that was also postponed from February to April 2, 2022. Special Honourees in four categories were also announced. They are:

• The SPECIAL JEAN BAPTISTE POINTE DUSABLE HUMANITARIAN AWARD
• The SPECIAL LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
• The HON. MARCUS MOSIAH GARVEY HISTORY AND EDUCATION LIFETIME AWARD
• The MARTIN’S INTERNATIONAL SPECIAL AWARD OF HONOR

The public voting for Chicago Music Awards best of 2021 is now in progress and will end on March 15, 2022.

To learn more about the CMA, to vote and secure tickets interested parties may visit  chicagomusicawards.org..

Learn more about IRAWMA at IRAWMA.com and follow social media on Instagram/Twitter - @irawmaawards, and YouTube/Facebook: @irawma.

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Jamaican songstress Sophia Brown takes a bold approach with her newest single, “Bad For Me.” Produced under her own label MusicMecka Records, the track will make its official debut on the airwaves on January 28, 2022.

“This song is about a woman who's with another woman's man but she is in love and can’t get enough. It’s just a messy situation that she found herself in and it’s messing with her head,” the singer explained. The topic takes a turn from her usual style, which may shock yet thrill fans when they take a listen.

“I know this track is not what people would usually expect from me. I’m hoping that it will be well received and the fans will love it. The feedback I’ve gotten so far has been great so I’m really looking forward to this one being played on many radio stations,” she stated.

With its high energy afrobeat sound paired with smooth vocals, the track’s appeal will be further expanded with the official music video currently in the pipeline. Expected to be released in February, the visuals promise to thrill with compelling and well-executed storylines.

“Bad For Me” will be featured on the singer’s upcoming album, which is slated for an April release. This new album will follow her last album “Change”, which was released in 2017. Since that project, she has released a slew of other songs such as “Stronger”, “Baby When You Left” and “My Religion” featuring Duane Stephenson. Having performed several successful shows in 2021, the singer is keeping the momentum going with further plans in 2022.

“I’m just enjoying myself musically and keeping it going. I’m enjoying the fact that we as artistes can still make good music and give it to the world for them to enjoy. There’s already so much going on with inflation, dealing with their kids, schooling and things like that so sometimes the music is the gateway for them to escape for a bit and enjoy what their favourite artistes are bringing to the table,” she expressed.

With new projects currently in the works, the singer is also preparing for a few live performances, starting with a scheduled show in the US in February, followed by a tour with the Vibesunitband that kicks off with the US leg in April and Europe in July.

Distributed by Zojak World Wide, “Bad For You” will be made available for purchase and streaming on major digital platforms online. Follow on social media at:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sophiabrown.onlysb 
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sophiabrownmusic/?hl=en 
Twitter: https://twitter.com/sophiabrownsb 
Webpage: www.originalsophiabrownmusic.com
YouTube.com/sophiabrownmusic

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Re-published courtesy of  IMAGES Newsletter, Fishkill, New York.