JaRIA Awards 2020:The public votes for Mortimer | Reggae Month
Fan favourite, Mortimer, a rising Jamaican reggae recording artist walked away with two trophies at the recent JaRIA awards show last Tuesday. He won Breakthrough artiste of the year beating fellow nominees Govanna, Stylo G, Lila Ike and Kemar Highcon. The reggae artist also won Song of the year for his song Lightning and I thought it was well deserved. The other nominees in this category were Chronic Law for his song Hillside, Koffee for her song Rapture, Buju Banton for his song Trust and Stylo G for his song Dumpling.
The category for Breakthrough artist of the year and Song of the year are the only categories where the public decides via voting online. The other categories are determined by the JaRIA committee. The crowd cheered for the singer as his double wins were announced. In his speech, he said, "Thanks to my wife who has been a constant source of inspiration. She is the inspiration behind da tune ya."
Last year's song of the year artist winner was Koffee for Toast, who ended up having an amazing year following her win. JARIA’s 2019 Breakout Artist of The Year was Naomi Cowan.
I am so grateful that I was invited to attend this award show because I had no idea we had an award show to celebrate and recognize excellence in Jamaican music. The awards show also introduced me to Mortimer, whose song I play every day since the event.
What is JaRIA Awards?
The Jamaica Reggae Industry Awards Show was held on the 25th of February at the Little Theatre in Kingston, Jamaica. This annual event is a part of Reggae Month and it aims to honour persons who have contributed to the development and growth of reggae music. This was its 12th staging. Some of the other activities that have been organized by the JaRIA committee for Reggae month were the Reggae University which was held every Thursday during the month of February and Reggae Wednesdays which were held at the Emancipation Park. The theme for this year's Reggae Month was: ‘Come Ketch de Riddim’
The JaRIA Pop Orchestra was an excellent, 30-piece reggae orchestra band, conducted by Ibo Cooper, played beautifully and was one the most talked-about moments of the awards show.
Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, Olivia “Babsy” Grange, presented a citation to the only living Wailer, Neville O’Riley Livingston, also known as Bunny Wailer. The presentation was a prelude to Bunny Wailer's tribute performed by the JaRIA Orchestra, Jah Wiz, Kabaka and Asadenaki.
Bunny Wailer receiving his citation.
JaRIA Categories
Awards were presented to nominees in categories which included sound systems, media personality, engineers, dance, fashion, promoter, producers, instrumentalists, songwriter, band, and mentorship among other accomplished professionals. Elise Kelly won an award for her Extraordinary Impact on the Reggae Industry in Media. Icon Award for Gospel was won by Chevelle Franklyn and David Kean. Exceptional contributions to the Reggae Industry for Songwriting went to Mark Buju Banton Myrie. The Gregory Isaacs Foundation Award for Dance was won by Orville Hall from Dance Xpressionz. Iconic artists in the music industry (female) went to Lady G and the Male awards went to Garnett Silk and Rexton Ralston Fernando Gordon also known as Shabba Ranks.
It has been such an amazing Reggae Month. Dennis Brown's tribute, Asafa's Statue Unveiling and The JaRIA Awards show were definitely my favourites. I can't wait to see what's in store for Reggae Month 2021!
The two-time world-record holder, Asafa Powell, also known as Sub10 king was noticeably ecstatic at the unveiling of his statue last Sunday. Powell's statue is the fourth in the Jamaica 55 Legacy programme, a programme designed by the Sports Ministry of Jamaica, to pay tribute to our outstanding track and field athletes. The statue was designed by renowned Jamaican sculptor, Basil Watson and depicts Powell charging out of his starting block. His statue joins the statuary of fellow athletes Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, Veronica Campbell-Brown and Usain Bolt among others.