Macka Diamond wins (IRAWMA) Best Female International Rapper/DJ for 2011

Macka Diamond is the proud recipient of the International Reggae and World Music Awards (IRAWMA) Best Female International Rapper/DJ for 2011.  The Dancehall artiste (who also wears the hat of that of Author and Actress) is overwhelmed and said “even though there were indicators that I could have won, I simply did not think about it and so it took me completely by surprise.” A pleasant surprise it must have been for Macka who also performed her popular Hoola Hoop and Cow Foot tracks to a very receptive audience at the awards.

The International Reggae and World Music Awards (IRAWMA) celebrated its 30^th year last weekend May 28^th, 2011 at the National Academy of the Performing Arts in Port of Spain, Trinidad.  Considered to be the only awards show to recognize the contributions of Caribbean and World music for over 30 years, IRAWMA was founded by entrepreneur, publisher and TV personality Ephraim M. Marting.  The nominees included Trinidad’s 2011 Soca Monarch and Road Monarch champion Machel Montano, controversial and popular Dancehall artiste Vybz Kartel, Taurus Riley, Jah Cure, Gramps Morgan, Queen Ifrika, International Reggae musician duo Sly and Robbie, JW Blaze, Shakira, Daddy Yankee and many more.  Past nominees, winners and award recipients  for this prestigious event have included Sean Paul, Jamie Foxx, Mamedou Diabte, Wyclef Jean, India Irie, Enrique Iglesias, Alison Hinds, Awilo Longamba and Beenie Man just to name a few. 

Previous IRAWMA have been held in U.S. cities New York, Miami and Atlanta as well as the city of Montego Bay in Jamaica and has been broadcasted on major TV networks such as MTV and B.E.T.

Known to be hard working and persistent, an award such as this could not have come at a better time in Macka’s career.  The DJ has successfully traversed other career paths within the entertainment industry that too few Jamaican artistes have gone.   She debut in a film titled, “Redemption of Paradise” taking on a lead role back in September 2009 and has also released two books to date, an autobiography entitled, “Grown and Sexy” and what is said to be the first official Dancehall novel titled, ‘Bun Him’ which is ironically the title of one of her popular songs with Dancehall artiste Blacker.