BVI Represented at International Reggae and World Music Awards
Local Acts Gain Needed Exposure
The BVI was represented at this years International Reggae and World Music Awards (IRAWMA) show, as it celebrated its 30th year last weekend, May 28th, 2011 at the National Academy of the Performing Arts in Port of Spain, Trinidad. Considered to be the only awards show to recognize the contributions of Caribbean and World music for over 30 years, IRAWMA was founded by entrepreneur, publisher and TV personality Ephraim M. Marting.
Zrod-FM's Paul 'Gadiethz' Peart was live at the event; Zrod covered the event, broadcasting it live here in the Virgin Islands with the help of Digicel BVI and Road Town Wholesale Trading Ltd on Zrod 103.7.
Peart, always the BVI ambassador, in addition to his hosting duties, sought to spread BVI music and culture and promote the BVI to the attendees at the event. Armed with a Collection of "Best Of Quito Rymer" CD's among others, Peart sought to promote the territory and one of its most talented musical stars, handing out the CD's to various international music industry representatives and artists from around the world, the likes of Tony Rebel, and 'Big Yard' which handles event bookings for world famous Grammy award winning "Mr. Bombastic" Shaggy.
Peart returned to the BVI with a trophy for "MASTER OF REGGAE", which he accepted on behalf of musical giant Freddy McGreggor, Peart will present McGreggor with his award when they meet up in Jamaica later this year.
Nominees at this years event included Trinidad’s 2011 Soca Monarch and Road Monarch champion Machel Montano, controversial and popular Dancehall artiste Vybz Kartel, Taurus Riley, Jah Cure, Gramps Morgan, Queen Ifrika, International Reggae musician duo Sly & Robbie, JW Blaze, Shakira, Daddy Yankee and many more. Past nominees, winners and award recipients for this prestigious event have included Sean Paul, Jamie Foxx, Mamedou Diabte, Wyclef Jean, India Irie, Enrique Iglesias, Alison Hinds, Awilo Longamba and Beenie Man just to name a few. Previous IRAWMA have been held in U.S. cities New York, Miami and Atlanta as well as the city of Montego Bay in Jamaica and has been broadcasted on major TV networks such as MTV and B.E.T.
Peart said "Myself and Zrod-Fm take our responsibility quite seriously when we have to represent the BVI on an international stage, these events will only help to bolster the BVI's presence in a positive light and we always try to shine light on the BVI's talented artists, that's why I made sure influential persons in the music industry got exposed to local music like Quito and the Edge. What we do is for the development of the entire BVI community as this will help with exposure on the tourism scene."
The event was covered by various international media and Zrod-Fm partnered with RainBow935-Fm from Anguilla and Vybz-Fm from Antigua.
Gadiethz is the host of the popular Morning Ride Show, Mon - Fri from 7-10am and the Strictly Reggae Show on Saturday's at 8pm - 12 am. The Morning Ride Show takes its annual "Summer Break" starting Monday June 6th and returning Monday September 5th, however fans will still be able to see Gadiethz on local TV station JTV channel 55 during the summer.