23rd International Reggae and World Music Awards

New Yorkers get to have all the fun – you get the Sam Bisbee CD release party at the Mercury Lounge tonight, and then you get this:

The International Reggae and World Music Awards produced annually by Martin’s Inter-Culture announced today the performance line up, which will include the legendary Dean Frasier, Luciano, Half Pint, Vybz Kartel, Lady Saw, Mikey General amongst others at this year’s eagerly anticpated event which will be held at Columbia University-Alfred Lerner Hall, 115th Street and Broadway, New York, NY on Sunday May 9, 2004 (Mothers Day). Advance tickets are: $75 for VIP Reception/Awards Show (6:00pm) and $50 for Awards show only (8:00pm), available at: TEL (877) 973-4423, 212/307-7171 or visit here.

The IRAWA aims annually to honor the very best in Reggae and World Beat Music with the staging of the popular event. Dancehall reggae superstar Sean Paul tops this year’s nominations with an unprecedented eleven nominations, akin to The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King at this years Academy Awards. The enigmatic reggae artists Elephant Man and Sizzla head the rest of the field with seven and six award nominations respectively. The nominees for the International Reggae and World Music Awards are determined by music industry professionals and Martin’s Inter-Culture executive and affiliates worldwide.

Among the nominees in 38 various categories include: Peter Gabriel, Lucky Dube, Judy Mowatt, Sly and Robbie, Shaggy, Beres Hammond, Luciana, Buju Banton and Wayne Wonder and Morgan Heritage, UB-40, Marcia Griffiths, Burning Spear, Calypso Rose, Lady Saw, Sister Carol, Papa San. Among the World Beat artists are: L ‘Orchestra Tropicana d’ Haiti from the troubled country of Haiti is also in the running for an award, as is Youssou N’Dour, Angelique Kidjo, Alpha Blondy, Bunji Garlin, Iwer George, Tabou Combo and T-Vice. Best Latin Entertainer nominations include: Enrique Iglesias, Santana, Luis Miguel, Mana, and Jennifer Lopez.

Two new categories were added to the Awards this year; they are Best Hip Hop Entertainer and Best Reggaeton Entertainer. The Hip Hop nominees are: Busta Rhymes, 50 Cent, Fabolous, Black Eye Peas, and Outkast; and Reggaeton nominees are: Noreaga, Tego Calderon, Wisin Y Yandel, Queen Ivy and Daddy Yankee. Those new to the sound of Reggaeton should note that it is a relatively new genre of dance music that has become popular in Puerto Rico over the last decade.

Sounds funky fresh and irie.