E N T E R T A I N M E N T   Last updated: Tuesday, June 5, 2007, 12:00am EST

Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller and Sean Paul get International Leadership Award
Tuesday, June 5, 2007
	At right, Sean Paul, International Reggae Artiste receives one of his six awards from former New York Council Woman Euna Clarke at the 26th Annual International Reggae and World Music Awards (IRAWMA) which was held at the historic world famous Apollo Theater, in the heart of Harlem, New York on Saturday 5th May, 2007. Photo by Derrick A. Scott
Prime Minister Portia Simpson-Miller became the first recipient of  the International Leadership Award which was presented at the  26th Annual International Reggae and World Music Awards (IRAWMA) which was held at the historic world famous Apollo Theater, in the heart of Harlem, New York on Saturday 5th May, 2007. In making the announcement, President of Martin’s  Inter-Culture,   Ephraim Martin, said “this special Award, the first of its kind, is being made to you, Prime Minister  Simpson-Miller, for your outstanding work on the Jamaican political scene over the past thirty years. The records show , he said, that during this time, your leadership qualities has shone through your work in Labour and Social Security, Community Development, Youth, Sports and Tourism, where the entertainment sector benefited from your innovative input.” He added, “Your strong defense of the less fortunate among us, fits perfectly into the mission of Martin's International, which over the past 26 years has been promoting Jamaica and Reggae and World Beat music as an art form. Tonight, as our nominees and winners make their way into the history books, we must be especially mindful that their craft is an art form and a vehicle of expression for the voiceless peoples of the world. Therein lies the cornerstone of our mission.” Jamaica’s reggae music and Caribbean entertainers took centre stage at the Apollo Theatre, wherever 41 awards were awarded in various categories. The night belonged to Sean Paul who walked away with four top awards - Best Crossover Song: “Temperature”; Most Popular Hip Hop Entertainer; Bob Marley Award for Entertainer of the Year;  Recording Artist of the Year; Best Song: “Temperature” by Sean Paul and Songwriter of the Year. Other awardees are: Best Male Vocalist: Luciano; Best Female Vocalist; Tanya Stephens; Best Album/CD: “Too Bad” by Buju Banton;  Best Gospel-Oriented Song: “King Jesus” by Chevelle Franklyn; Best Male DJ/Rapper: Buju Banton; Best Female DJ/Rapper: Macka Diamond; Best New Entertainer: Tony Matterhorn; Best Calypso/Soca Entertainer: Machel Montano; Best Reggaeton Entertainer: Daddy Yankee; Best Latin-Oriented Entertainer: Shakira; Best Compas/Racine Entertainer: Sweet Mickey; Best African Entertainer: Angelique Kidjo; Best Soukous Entertainer: Koffi Olomide; Most Popular Hip Hop Entertainer: Sean Paul; Award for Outstanding Contribution to World Music: Ziggy Marley; Most Outstanding Stage Personality: Capleton; Best Music Video: “Ghetto Story” by Baby Cham; Best Poet: Mutabaruka; Most Cultural/Educational Entertainer: Luciano; Most Outstanding Show Band/Group: Morgan Heritage; Most Consistent Entertainer: Byron Lee & the Dragonaires; Most Promising Entertainer: Tarrus Riley; Most Improved Entertainer: Da’Ville; Best Instrumentalist: Dean Fraser; Best Backing Band: Live Wyya; Most Popular Sound System/Selector: Tony Matterhorn; Concert of the Year: Irie Jamboree; Promoter of the Year: LinkUp Media; Producer of the Year: Don Corleon; Selassie I Award for “Spiritual Service Through Music”: Damian Marley; Community Service Award: Moodies Records & Butterfli Wings Foundation. Special Awards were presented to: Marcus Garvey Humanitarian Award: Bono, Oprah Winfrey;International Reggae & World Music Hall of Fame/Lifetime Inductees: B.B. Seaton & the Gaylads, Boris Gardner; Martin’s International & Associates Award of Honor: Don One (Don One Records), Ed Robinson (E2 Recordings), Edward “Bunny” Lee, King Jammy’s; Producer’s “Respect” Award: Doug E. Fresh, Gregory Isaacs, Half Pint; Awards of Appreciation for Contribution to the Music Industry: Bobby (Culture Jam WVIP 93.5FM), Dave Clark (Friends of Reggae), Jerome Hamilton (Headline Entertainment), Lorna Wainwright (Tuff Gong), Mikey Jarrett, Richie B. (HOT 102FM), Dahved Levy (WBLS 107.5FM), Winston “Niney” Holness (The Observer). JIS, Washington, DC Derrick A. Scott Back to Entertainment