The mission of the International Reggae & World Music Awards (IRAWMA), established in 1982 acknowledges and honors the accomplishments and contributions of reggae and world music artists, including: songwriters, performers, promoters and musicians.
Produced by Martin's International  the IRAWMA has been staged in many major cities including: Atlanta, Chicago, Fort Lauderdale, Miami, New Orleans, New York as well as both Montego Bay and Ocho Rios Jamaica.
The impetus behind the IRAWMA is it's commitment to promoting greater participation and acceptance of Reggae, Caribbean and World Music, Internationally.




The 31st IRAWMA featured 30 categories and 4 special Categories of Honorees. See below this year's award winners.
Bob Marley Award for Entertainer of the Year -   Damian Marley
Best Male Vocalist -     Tarrus Riley
Best Female Vocalist -  Queen Ifrica
Best Song - “Jah Army”- Stephen Marley, Damian Marley & Buju
Best Album/CD - “Revelation Part 1 The Root of Life”-Stephen Marley
Best Crossover Song - “Man Down”- Rihanna
Best Gospel-Oriented Song - “Air I Breathe”- J. CEE
Best Latin-Oriented Entertainer -Pitt Bull
Best Music Video - “Live Your Life” Richie Stephens and Gentleman
Best New Entertainer - J. Boog
Best Female Disc Jockey/Rapper - Queen Ifrica
Best Male Disc Jockey/Rapper    Beenie Man
Best Calypso/Soca Entertainer - Machel Montano
Best Poet/Spoken Word - Mutabaruka
Most Cultural/Educational Entertainer -  I-Octane
Concert of the Year - Rototom - Spain
Best Caribbean Entertainer - Third World
Best Instrumentalist - Dean Fraser
Most Popular Sound System/Selector - Stone Love
Best Chutney Entertainer -  Kris “Ki” Persad
Best African Entertainer - Akon
Best Soukous Entertainer - Top One Frisson
Most Popular R&B/Hip Hop Entertainer- Rihanna
Most Consistent Entertainer - Calypso Rose
Most Promising Entertainer - Nkulee Dubee
Most Outstanding Show Band/Group - Third World
Best Compas/Racine Entertainer - T-Vice
Most Outstanding Dance Group - Black Blangaz     
29  SPECIAL: Marcus Garvey Humanitarian Award - Ziggy Marley- Urge   
30  Chicago- Reggae and World Music Entertainer  of the Year - Guero Loco





Special Honorees
SPECIAL: Int’l Reggae & World Music Hall of Fame/Lifetime Inductee
Fred Baker
SPECIAL: Martin’s International - IRAWMA Award of Honor
On Stage TV - Winford Williams For  Most Valuable Media Contributions to Reggae in the Last Decade
Berko - African Spectrum - For Outstanding  Musical and Journalistic Contribution to African and World Music
Field Marshall and Art Bailey - For Outstanding Radio Media Contribution to the Music Industry
REGGAE 50 HONORS:
Recognizing and honoring Living Legend and icons since the 1960s or in the last 50 years, who have been consistent performing and working in the music industry.
Rita Marley - For Your Work in  Preservation and Promotion of Reggae's Legacy
Marcia Griffiths - The Most Indomitable Entertainer In all Decades Since the Early 1960s
Judy Mowatt - For Spiritual Service Through Music
Freddie McGregor For 50 Years of Dedicated & Untiring Services to Jamaica and the World Through Music
Ken Boothe - Most Consistent to the Preservation of Rocksteady Music
Eric Donaldson– King of Jamaican Song Contest in the Past 50 Years
Copeland Forbes For 50 Years of Valuable Contributions to the Music Industry
SPECIAL: 2011 IRAWMA’S SOCIAL MEDIA ATTRACTION AWARD- Gyptian