BASSETERRE, St. Kitts - FEBRUARY 4 is the date set for the 2010 Excellence In Music and Entertainment (EME) Awards to be held at the Gardens, at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel in New Kingston.
Thirty-six categories are up for grabs, including seven People’s Choice Awards, and two Honour Awards. Other awards include International Artiste of the Year, Gospel Artiste of the Year, Most Improved Artiste, Rhythm of the Year, Callabo of the Year, Songwriter/ Lyricist of the Year, Breakthur Artiste of the Year, Cultural /Positive Artiste of the Year, ‘Recording Artiste of the Year’ and Album of the Year.
Among the names for some of these categories are Vybz Kartel, Beenie Man, Mavado, Elephant Man, Busy Signal, Ding Dong, Spice, Lady G, Jah Cure, Alaine, Barbee, Stephen McGregor, Merital,Wasp, Romain Virgo, TOK, Queen Ifrica, Etana and Tifa.
According to the EME’s website, this award show was established in 2005 by renowned radio personality Richard 'Richie B' Burgess, with the aim to envision, authenticate and dedicate an awards ceremony to Jamaican music and entertainment, fashioned after the famed Grammy Awards, with grandeur and pageantry characteristic of such an awards ceremony.
The website added that since coming on stream, the EME Awards has gained unwavering support and popularity, becoming a much larger and recognised event on Jamaica's entertainment calendar.
“Over 85 percent of the awardees were in attendance for the 2009 production, a first for any local awards production. This is a clear indication of the respect the industry has for this event, motivating us to continue to improve the product,” the website informed.
