It is awards season and a new jury has handed out its prizes : the brand-new Excellence in Music and Entertainment Awards, held for the fourth year running in Kingston this weekend. Big winner of the ceremony, Beenie Man went up three times to collect a statuette, including the highly coveted Deejay of the Year. He also takes Dancehall Song of the Year (Back it up).
Apart from Mario Campbell (357 Records), hailed Producer of the Year ahead of Birch, Don Corleon and Stephen McGregor (the jury not even having deigned to nominate Daseca), there were few surprises. Tarrus Riley pockets two prizes (Singer and Reggae Song of the Year) while Mavado is crowned Singjay of the Year. Also worth noting are the newcomers Munga and Barbee (who is also rewarded for her duet with Junior Kelly), as well as Buju Banton's "Too Bad", album of the year.