Damian 'Junior Gong' Marley's Collects Six International Reggae and World Music Awards

Rap superstar Nas, joined Damian “Jr. Gong” Marley on his road to Zion, as the youngest son of music icon and legend Bob Marley collected an unparalleled six awards.

New York, NY (PRWEB) May 8, 2006 -- Rap superstar Nas, joined Damian “Jr. Gong” Marley on his "Road to Zion", as the youngest son of music icon and legend Bob Marley collected an unparalleled six awards at the 25th (PRWEB) May 8, 2006 -- International Reggae and World Music Awards (IRAWMA), on Saturday May 6, 2006 at the World Famous Apollo Theatre announced Chicago based event producers Martin’s Inter-Culture Ltd. and associates today.

Hosted by actor LEON (Waiting To Exhale, The Five Heartbeats, The Temptations), the well organized, event was a resounding success. Luminaries and dignitaries graced the red carpet as media and fans celebrated this anticipated event. America’s Next Top Model finalist Camille McDonald caused a sensation in her role as one the presenters.

Damian Marley reached sensational heights with the album “Welcome To Jamrock” (Tuff Gong/Universal), which features Nas, Bobby Brown, and Black Thoughts (the Roots). Marley’s 25th IRAWMA 2006 awards, included his father’s namesake “Bob Marley Award For Entertainer of the Year”, as well as “Recording Artist of the Year”, “Best Song”, “Best Album”, “Best Music Video”, and “Songwriter of the Year” which he shared with his brother Stephen Marley. “Best Male Vocalist” went to imprisoned but immensely popular Jah Cure, “Best Female Artist” went to the legendary, former I-Threes backing vocalist, Marcia Griffiths dubbed the “Queen of Reggae” by her peers. Sean Paul, who had received multiple IRAWMA awards two years ago, collected the “Best Crossover Song” with the chart topping “We Be Burning”.

Beenie Man won “Best Male DJ/Rapper”, his female counterpart Macka Diamond took home the “Best Female DJ/Rapper”. Notable awards went to Wyclef Jean “Community Service Award”, Youssou N' Dour, for “Best African Entertainer”, Matisyahu for “Best New Entertainer” and Danny Glover and Harry Belafonte who along with U2’s Bono received the “Marcus Garvey Humanitarian Award”. For a complete list of the 25th IRAWMA 2006 visit: http://www.irawma.com.

The IRAWMA annually honors the very best in Reggae and World Beat Music with the staging of this popular event. Over one hundred and fifty entertainers and music industry professionals were nominated and selected for special awards by music industry experts from around the globe. Visit the IRAWMA website: www.irawma.com for a full list of nominees, special awards, IRAWMA Hall of Fame recipients and sponsorship information.

Event sponsors included: Air Jamaica, Coco Cola, Radio One, Gleaner/Star-NA, MoneyGram, Linkup Media, Caribbean Life Magazine, Hoy Newspaper, CVM Television, NY Liberty Star Newspaper, The Crossover Radio, IrieJam Media, Talk with Marie-93.5 FM, DJ Steve’s Tax Services Inc., Dennis Shipping, WPSC FM, CME-WLIB, Sam’s Caribbean Market Place, R5 Radio and WhereItzat Magazine, among others.

Contact:

Martins Inter-Culture, Ltd

TEL: 312 427-0266

URL: www.irawma.com

Media Relations Contact:

ACM PR: A.C. McLean

TEL: 312 373 1778 (USA)

TEL: 0207 078 4335 (UK)

URL: http://www.acmpr.com

25th International Reggae and World Music Awards 2006 Categories/Winners

Bob Marley Award For Entertainer of the Year

Damian Marley

Recording Artist(s) / Group of the Year

Damian Marley

Best Male Vocalist

Jah Cure

Best Female Vocalist

Marcia Griffiths

Best Song

"Welcome to Jamrock"-Damian Marley

Best Album/CD

"Welcome to Jamrock"-Damian Marley

Best Crossover Song

"We Be Burning"-Sean Paul

Best Gospel - Oriented Song

"Real & Personal" -Papa San

Best Male D.J./Rapper

Beenie Man

Best Female D.J./Rapper

Macka Diamond

Best New Entertainer

Matisyahu

Best Calypso/Soca Entertainer

Machel Montano

Best Reggaeton Entertainer

Daddy Yankee

Best Latin Entertainer

Shakira

Best Compas/Racine Entertainer

Sweet Mickey

Best African Entertainer

Youssou N' Dour

Best Soukous Entertainer

Papa Wembe

Best Hip Hop Entertainer

Kanye West

Award for Outstanding Contribution to World Music

Mamadou Diabate

Most Outstanding Stage Personality

Capleton

Best Music Video

"Welcome To Jamrock"-Damian Marley

Best Poet

Mutabaruka

Most Cultural/Educational Entertainer

Luciano

Most Outstanding Show Band/Group

TOK

Most Consistent Entertainer

Freddie McGregor

Most Promising Entertainer

Gyptian

Most Improved Entertainer

Kip Rich

Best Instrumentalist

Dean Fraser

Best Backing Band

Sly & Robbie/Taxi Gang

Most Popular Sound System/Selector

Stone Love

Concert of the Year

Africa Unite-Ethiopia

Promoter of the Year

Linkup Media

Producer of the Year

Don Corleon

Songwriter of the Year

Stephen & Damian Marley

Community Service Award

Wyclef Jean

Emperor Haile Selassie I

Award for Spiritual Service Through Music

Luciano

Marcus Garvey Humanitarian Award

Danny Glover

Bono

Harry Belafonte

International Reggae & World Music

HALL OF FAME

Life Time Inductees

Alton Ellis

Eddy Grant

Martin's International / Inter-Culture

Award of Honor

Clyde McKenzie

Glen Adams

Ofori Amponsah

Producer's "Respect" Award

Elephant Man

Special Award

of Appreciation for

Outstanding Contributions to the Music Industry

Peter Schwartz - The Agency

Myshjua Archibald - Eight 76 Records

Cristy Barber - Tuff Gong Records

Massive B - Bobby Konder and Jabba

Lance O

Andre Porter

Jeff Sarge

Ruff Stuff Band/Studio

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