The 39th edition of the International Reggae and World Music Awards (IRAWMA) was a sight of excitement for many Ghanaians as popular Ghanaian musicians Sarkodie and Shatta Wale each won an award for their work and performance in virtual entertainment last year.
Among them were also Ghanaian child prodigy Dj Switch and instrumentalist Kwame Yeboah.
This brought the total winnings to 4 with two other nominations which included Ghanaian Grammy nominee Stonebwoy.
The event came off in Jamaica on Sunday 16 May 2021. Dj Switch has expressed her gratefulness for the award on social media thanking all for the support, while fans of both Sarkodie and Shatta Wale have set social media platform ‘Twitter’ buzzing from the morning with trends focused on the winnings of both Sarkodie and Shatta Wale.
Though this would not be the first time a Ghanaian musician has won an award at the International Reggae and World Music Awards, it is the first time a Ghanaian rapper has received such honor.
Sarkodie whose virtual music concert ‘Black love Concert’ nearly crashed the official website for its live broadcast last year, due to unprecedented traffic from online viewers, received the award for the ‘Best Virtual Showcase/ Concert of the Year’.
Sarkodie was in the same category as Reggae Dancehall legend Beenie Man and Bounty Killer, and other top brands.
Another excitement for the night was when Ghanaian instrumentalist Kwame Yeboah and child prodigy Dj Switch were also announced as the ‘Instrumentalist of the Year’ and the ‘Best Young Entertainer of the Year’ respectively.
Dj Switch took to her Instagram page to express her gratitude saying, “Thank you all for the love and support”. This would be another feather in the cap for the rising star after being acknowledged by American rapper Jay-Z's Roc Nation.
Shatta Wale and Stonebwoy were both nominated in the category for the ‘Best African Dancehall Entertainer’ award, but we’re not able to win it.
However, both fans of the two multiple award-winning acts began celebrating the talents and achievements of both musicians on social media after the winners were announced.
The event though virtual, had a star-studded list of nominees and performances from names such as Beenie Man, Gramps Morgan, Buju Banton, Pop Can, Sizzla Kolonji, Spice, Shaggy, Shansea, Anthony B, and others.
Other African top acts who formed part of the nominees were Wizkid, Burna Boy, Patorankin, and Diamond Platnumz.
Credit: Jerry Wonder