Vybz Kartel Leads 43rd IRAWMA Nominees in Kingston as Organizers Announce Donation

VYBZ Kartel emerged as one of the most visible names when the International Reggae & World Music Awards unveiled nominees for its 43rd annual cycle at a press event in Kingston, and organizers used the occasion to present a charitable donation to the Black River Hospital Foundation. The nominee reveal took place at the R Hotel Rooftop Restaurant and ran from 6:00 PM to 11:00 PM on February 19, 2026; the press invite stated, “Join us as we unveil the nominees, mark the close of the 2025 nomination process, and present a charitable donation to the Black River Hospital Foundation.”

IRAWMA confirmed the main awards night will be staged in South Florida when it posted an “OFFICIAL ANNOUNCEMENT - SAVE THE DATE!” for Saturday, May 17, 2026 at the Lauderhill Performing Arts Center, 3800 NW 11th Pl, Lauderhill, FL 33311. The Facebook announcement said, “The legacy continues. The celebration returns. The culture rises.” and added that “For over four decades, IRAWMA has honored the pioneers, icons, and rising stars who have shaped Reggae and World Music across the globe.” The post promised “Nominees. Special Honorees. Electrifying Performances.” and noted that “Tickets, performer announcements, and exclusive updates coming soon.”

The Kingston nominee announcement was organized by Martins International and listed Terrel Blackett as media RSVP contact at terrel.martinsinternational@gmail.com and 718-427-1079. The event page showed modest on-site interest with “14 Going” and a countdown note “3 days left to RSVP” alongside the page fragment “326185 [...] RSVP Here.” Organizers also indicated the nominee reveal would stream live on IRAWMA’s YouTube channel.

Nominees for the Toots Hibbert Award for Best Album/CD included “Apex” - Bugle ft. Various Artists; “Take It Easy” - Collie Buddz; “Bob Marley - One Love” - Various Artists; “Never Gets Late Here” - Shenseea; and “Party with Me” - VYBZ Kartel.

Best Crossover Song nominees listed “Ba Ba Bad” – Busy Signal, Sean Paul ft. Kybba; “Choppa” - Byron Messia, Lil Baby & Rvssian; “Awuke” - Davido ft. YG Marley; “Work Me Out” - Wizkid & Shenseea; and “Commando” – Shatta Wale ft. Bounty Killer.

Best Gospel Song nominees were Carlene Davis - “Rapha”; DJ Nicholas – “Prayer Meeting”; Richie Stephens ft. Sanchez – “Forever Grateful”; Johnmark Wiggan - “Confidence”; Petra Kaye - “Do It Again”; and Prince SAJ - “The Message.”

Best EP (Extended Play) Recording nominees named Buju Banton; Damian Marley; Sean Paul; Shaggy; and Spice.

The Peter Tosh Award for Recording Artist of the Year included Buju Banton; Chronic Law; Masicka; Sean Paul; Protojie; Valiant; and VYBZ Kartel.

Jacob Miller Award for Best Male Vocalist nominees were Christopher Martin; Gramps Morgan; Romain Virgo; Tarrus Riley; and YG Marley.

Best Female Vocalist – Sponsored by Truly Inspired Dana, LLC nominees listed Alaine; Etana; Lila Ike; Marcia Griffiths; Naomi Cowan; and Stalk Ashley.

Gregory Isaacs Award for Best Song nominees were “Happy Birthday” - Busy Signal; “Wisemen” - Damian Marley; “Higher Life” - Kranium ft. Chronic Law; “Judgement” - Nigy Boy; and “Praise Jah in the Moonlight” - YG Marley.

Comedian of the Year nominees were Boasy Boy Floyd; Dale Elliott Jr.; Julie Mango; Lemon; and Majah Hype.

Concert of the Year nominees listed Buju Banton - NY; Freedom Street - VYBZ Hartel - DSE Prod - Jamaica; Reggae Sumfest - Jamaica; Rebel Salute - Jamaica; and Rototom Sunsplash - Spain.

A Special category titled Best Song Saluting VP Kamala Harris included Jamerican Momala's Story - Ras Daan Jah; “Big Up Kamala Harris” - Richie Stephens; “Gimme Hope Kamala” - Marsh Family adaptation of Eddy Grant; “America needs a smile, America needs hope, America needs Kamala Harris” - Oded Kertes; and “Biden Step Down, Kamala Harris for President” – Gowam International.

Most Active Reggae/Dancehall Social Media Entertainer nominees listed Buju Banton; D’Angel; Sean Paul; Shenseea; and Spice.

The IRAWMA site excerpt in the briefing shows a heading for Best Entertainment Media (TV/Podcast/Video) Influencer but provided no nominees under that heading in the material released at the Kingston reveal. Organizers did not publish winners, the donation amount to the Black River Hospital Foundation was not disclosed, and the public notice for the May 17 ceremony omitted a start time; those gaps remain in the materials circulated with the nominee lists.

IRAWMA’s Facebook post registered 57 reactions, 9 comments and 3 shares; sample comments shown under the post included calls for Shatta Wale to perform. For press or partnership inquiries ahead of the May 17 ceremony, IRAWMA listed terrel.martinsinternational@gmail.com and Martins International at martinsinternational1982@gmail.com as contacts.