The International Reggae and World Music Awards (IRAWMA) 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. The nominees 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.