Vybz Kartel Photos 1 of 3

KINGSTON, Jamaica – VYBZ KARTEL and artistes from his Gaza Empire together won five awards at the Excellence in Music and Entertainment Awards held on February 4.

The Gaza boss walked away with three awards - DJ of the Year (male), Recording Artiste of the Year and Song Writer/Lyricist of the Year.

His group, Merital, won the award for Duo/Group of the Year against seasoned groups including TOK and Voicemail, while his artiste, Jahvinci, tied with Chino for the Breakthrough Artiste of the Year.

Former Gaza artiste Lisa Hype, now known as Lisa Hyper, walked away with the Best New Artiste (female) award.
Jah Cure also walked away with three awards - Vocalist of the Year (male); Song of the Year (Reggae), ‘Call on Me’ with Phillisia and Collaboration of the Year (Reggae); and ‘Call on Me’ with Phillisia.

Ding Dong too took three awards - Best Original Dance Move of the Year; Song of the Year (Dancehall), ‘Holiday’ featuring Chevaun; and Collaboration of the Year (Dancehall).

The International Artiste of the Year award went to Sean Paul while Best New Artiste (male) went to G-Whizz. Singjay of the Year (male) went to Mavado while Singjay of the Year (female) was awarded to Queen Ifrica.

The Best Roots Play went to Bashment Granny while Show of the Year went to Shaggy and Friends 2K9. Ce’Cile was award Best Dressed Artiste while the International Friend of Reggae Award went to India Arie.
India Arie was among the list of performers and she teamed up with Gramps Morgan singing ‘Therapy’, which is featured on

Morgan’s album ‘2 Sides of My Heart’. ‘2 Sides of My Heart was named the Album of the Year.  India Arie also performed her single popular past hit ‘Ready For Love’.