When the International Reggae and World Music Awards (IRAWMA) announced its nominees on Thursday, it was Vybz Kartel who led the pack with an impressive 11 nominations.
Dr Ephraim Martin, founder of Martin’s International, which hosts the awards, described the achievement as “impressive.”
“I know that there’s a buzz on Vybz Kartel from Africa to Europe to South America … but this is the first time I have ever seen anybody who was off the scene for so long generate such an interest and receive that many nominations across various categories,” Martin said.
Kartel was released on July 31, 2024, after serving more than 13 years in prison. He had initially been sentenced to life imprisonment for murder, but his conviction was overturned by the Court of Appeal. Since his return, Kartel has been unstoppable in the dancehall space. For Martin, his multiple IRAWMA nominations underscores the dominance of the Unstoppable hitmaker.
“When we were doing the count, three names kept showing up, and Kartel was one of them,” Martin told THE STAR. Following him was Sean Paul, who garnered eight nominations.
“I know that there’s a buzz on Vybz Kartel from Africa to Europe to South America … but this is the first time I have ever seen anybody who was off the scene for so long generate such an interest and receive that many nominations across various categories. When we were doing the count, three names kept showing up, and Kartel was one of them,” Martin told THE STAR.
Sean Paul follows Vybz Kartel with eight nominations.
Kartel, who has enjoyed back-to-back Grammy nominations since his release in 2024, was nominated for the Bob Marley Award for Entertainer of the Year; Peter Tosh Award for Recording Artiste of the Year; Gregory Isaacs Award for Best Song ( God is the Greatest); Toots Hibbert Award for Best Album ( Heart & Soul); Jimmy Cliff Award for Best Crossover Entertainer; Best Male DJ/Rapper; Best Collab Song – Reggae and Other Genres ( PBT, with Travis Scott and You Remind Me with DJ Khaled and others); Best Music Video ( God is the Greatest and You Remind Me); and Best Caribbean Entertainer.
Now celebrating its 43rd anniversary, IRAWMA unveiled its Best of 2025 nominees at a press conference held at the R Hotel Rooftop Restaurant in St. Andrew under the theme Jamaica Rise. The evening also paid tribute to activist, the Reverend Jesse Jackson, who passed away on February 17, and to the late Justice Shelvin L.M. Hall, wife of Martin’s founder, to whom the awards ceremony is dedicated.
Set for May 17 at the Lauderhill Performing Arts Center in Florida, Martin said that he was also pleased to honour Burning Spear with the Lifetime & Master of World Music Award.
“Without question, Burning Spear is one of the most outstanding cultural artistes,” Martin said.
“He will be at the awards ceremony in person. I don’t know yet about Kartel … I haven’t spoken to him as yet,” Martin said.
