Florida is set to host the prestigious 42nd Annual International Reggae and World Music Awards (IRAWMA) for the ninth time in the event’s history, surpassing both Jamaica and New York, which have each hosted the awards eight times.
Only Chicago, where IRAWMA was founded, has hosted more events, with eleven ceremonies held there. Other cities that have welcomed IRAWMA over the years include Atlanta (four times), New Orleans (once), and Trinidad and Tobago (once), marking 42 years of the awards’ global journey.
On Sunday, March 30, 2025, the IRAWMA will return to the Coral Springs Center for the Arts, located at 2855 Coral Springs Drive, in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. A limited number of special discounted general admission and VIP tickets are available for purchase through Cyber Monday, December 2, 2024, via www.thecentercs.com and www.irawma.com.
Nominations for the best musical acts of 2024 are now open, with entertainment media and music industry professionals encouraged to submit their nominations until December 31, 2024. The nomination process requires experts to visit www.irawma.com to review the categories and criteria before submitting their top two choices in categories they are familiar with.
This year’s IRAWMA will introduce a special category: “Best Song/Act Saluting Jamaican-American VP Kamala Harris, the Democratic Candidate for President of the United States.” In total, 34 categories will require nominations, with additional special honors given to individuals who have made extraordinary contributions to the entertainment industry or to social justice and humanitarian causes.
Also returning is the 3rd IRAWMA Best Song Contest, open to entertainers who can submit a two-minute video showcasing a song that celebrates what IRAWMA has done for the music industry over the past 42 years. Submissions can be emailed to IRAWMAinfo@gmail.com.
“After more than 40 years, we are preparing and looking to the next generation of IRAWMA successors and new leaders,” said Dr. Ephraim Martin, BH(M), D.B.A., producer and president of Martin’s International, during the launch of the 2025 Special Events.
Important Dates Leading Up to the 42nd IRAWMA:
- October 9, 2024: Nominations Open
- December 31, 2024: Nominations Close
- January 15, 2025: Nominees Announced & Public Voting Begins
- March 10, 2025: Voting Closes
- Sunday, March 30, 2025:
- 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM: Red Carpet Arrival/VIP Reception
- 7:00 PM: General Admission
- 7:30 PM: IRAWMA Awards Showcase
This year’s IRAWMA promises to be another exciting celebration of the best in reggae and world music, while also highlighting the industry’s impact over the last four decades.
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