Lucky Dube's Daughter Tops Reggae Awards Nominations

Lucky Dube's daughter - Nkulee Dube

THE DAUGHTER of the late reggae star, Lucky Dube, has topped the list of nominees in six categories for the 31st International Reggae and World Music Awards (IRAWMA).

South African, Nkulee Dubehe, became the first non-Caribbean entertainer to have been nominated in that many categories, which include Best Female Vocalist, Best Song, Best Album, Best Video, Best New Entertainer and Most Promising Entertainer.

She is followed by Tarrus Riley and Mavado, each with four nominations. Damian Marley, Third World, Queen Ifrika, Stephen Marley, Fab 5, Ziggy Marley and Machel Montano each picked up three nominations.

Other multiple nominees include, Freddy McGregor, Jimmy Cliff, Laza Morgan, Marcia Griffiths, I-Octane, Sean Paul, Beenie Man, Tiana, The Green, Rihanna, Shaggy, Richie Spice, Protoje, Gentleman, Alison Hinds, Calypso Rose and Kes the Band.

This year, the awards categories have been reduced from 44 to 30, but allowed up to seven nominees per category. The deadline for voting at www.irawma.com is May 15. The official worldwide announcement was made from Jamaica and Chicago on Monday morning on CVM TV and Martins TV. It will again be seen live Saturday on CVM's On Stage with live streaming on www.onstagetv.com; also on CEEN TV - a Cablevision platform in the New York Tri-states area.

It was also revealed that after 15 years on the road, the 31st hosting of the IRAWMA ceremony returns to Chicago, and will be held in conjunction with the 20th anniversary of the African/Caribbean International Festival of Life (IFOL), for the first time.

The IRAWMA Awards ceremony and red-carpet arrival showcase will be held on Thursday, July 5, while IFOL will be held on July 4-8, in Washington Park, Chicago. Ephraim Martin, president of the IRAWMA and the IFOL, said this year's celebration will be a grand festivity.

"The Taste of Chicago, one of America's biggest July 4 Independence celebration, will be held later in the month of July, while the Festival of Life will serve as the main event for the residents and visitors from around the world. The Chicago Office of Tourism will join IFOL in its effort to maximise tourists to Chicago for the July 4 holiday.

"Additionally, our five-day weekend festivity will be dedicated to Jamaica's 50th year of Independence with the aim of featuring and showcasing a pavilion with All Things Jamaican, and will serve as a road to Jamaica's golden jubilee in August." VOICE