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DANCEHALL musician Wallace “Winky D” Chirimuko has added another international gong to his cabinet after scooping the Best African Dancehall Entertainer at the 39th edition of the 2021 International Reggae and World Music Awards (IRAWMA) virtual ceremony held on Sunday in Jamaica.
The “Sekai” hit maker was up against South African-based Zimbabwean Buffalo Souljah, Shatta Wale and Stonebwoy of Ghana and Nigerian singer Patoranking. Early in January, Winky D won the Best Dancehall Artiste 2020 Award at the African Entertainment Awards United States of America (AEAUSA).
The award comes after another prestigious Best Dancehall gong he received at the African Entertainment Awards, USA (AEAUSA) held in New Jersey, United States.
Held in Jamaica on Sunday evening under the theme Reggae and World Music Still Rise, this year’s 39th edition of the awards were co-hosted by grammy award-winning reggae artiste Gramps Morgan and dancehall’s self-proclaimed first lady D’Angel.
It was the second consecutive year for the IRAWMA awards ceremony to be staged virtually due to the COVID-19 pandemic that has forced the organisers, Martin’s International, to cancel the usual red carpet event.
In his category, the Gafa hitmaker battled for honours with Patoranking (Nigeria), fellow countryman Buffalo Souljah, Stonebwoy and Shatta Wale (all from Ghana).
In celebrating the milestone, Winky D yesterday posted on his official social media platform, Fan Facebook page: “I wanna thank everyone who voted for Winky D DiBigman. We have won another international award. It is coming home. Happy yacho can’t hide. We did it! #vigilancefamily, #haisikidsgame #bababhurama.”
Winky D’s post was followed by a series of congratulatory messages from his fans and fellow musicians.
Another Zimbabwean artist Vachi Kepwe Di Poet was also a nominee at the awards vying for the Best Poet/Spoken Word Entertainer gong.
At the ceremony, Josef Bogdanovich, Ziggy Marley and Papa Michigan received special awards which were not open for public voting.
Bogdanovich got the award for special philanthropist, Marley for IRAWMA Hall of Fame/Lifetime Achievement for over 40 years of contribution to reggae music, and Papa Michigan received the IRAWMA Award of Honour.
Further Commenting on his Facebook post, Winky D said: “Blessing MaGAFA, your votes have counted!! This accolade will not push me onto an ego trip, far from it. It makes me realise that l should always appreciate the simple details of life.
“There is no act without an audience, as such l am forever indebted to all the Gafas and Gafaresses who sacrifice their time and hard earned money to attend my shows. For me, it’s a compromised act without good instrumentalists, so allow me to take time to big up the Vigilance Band, and more importantly honour the late uniquely talented ‘Scara the Drummer’.
“Hearty appreciation also goes to those who believed in my music from the day when l started preaching the ordeal of the ghetto youths when it was still unfashionable to talk reality. I will admit the love we exchanged during live shows, l also can’t wait for a return to normalcy.”
The IRAWMA awards show was hosted by Jamaican artistes Gramps Morgan and D’Angel.
The event was staged virtually due to Covid-19, with performances from top acts in reggae and dancehall, as well as other international performers.
It is the second consecutive year that the event is being staged online due to the onset of Covid-19, forcing the organisers, Martin’s International, to cancel the usual glitz and glamour of the red carpet.
It was broadcast free on IRAWMA’s YouTube Channel, Irie FM, OnStage TV and PBC Jamaica with over 500 000 individuals across the globe watching the event.
Among the artistes who performed were Ziggy Marley, B…
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