The first ever staging of the Reggae Academy Awards was written in the history books of entertainment and many of our local talents were on hand to witness the event as it unfolded including MZJA.com

The show which officially began at 8:00pm had all the makings of a memorable event, staged at the National Indoor Sports Center in Kingston. The facility played host to a modest crowd of Dignitaries, Goverment officials, celebrities and the common folk. Some of the more noticeable public figures in attendance were, Priminister of Jamaica the Most Honourable Bruce Golding, Minister Olivia Babsy Grange, Mega actress Grace Jones, music extraordinaire Chris Blackwell, Ernie Ranglin, African superstar Idibi 2Face, Rita Marley, Marcia Griffiths, Ziggy Marley, Shaggy, Miss Jamaica World 2007 Yendi Phillips amongst others.

Members of the media were also out in their numbers and could be seen throughout the entire night hovering across the floor in an effort to get that perfect shot.

The night saw several big performances from the likes of Marcia Griffith with the undying classic 'Electric Boogie', The energy God himself Elephant Man with his rendition of the popular street dance 'Gully Creeper' complemented by a group of dancers. Assassin had the ladies coming from everything even jumping from a bike back onto stage. Harry Toddler also known as the Blond Ras reminded the audience to 'Don't Run In' dressed in a earth tone ensemble. Other performers included, Wayne Marshall, Voicemail, Diana King, Toots Hibbert, Demarco, CeCile, Macka Diamond and Stephen Marley.

Even though this could be considered somewhat a milestone/memorable event there are still a few misses faces normally seen on the entertainment circuit. Those missing in action included the Warlord himself, Bounty Killer, Beenie Man, Vybz Kartel, Aidonia Ninja Man, Sean Paul, Beres Hammond, Munga Honourable just to name a few.

One of the nights biggest surprise came in the category of 'Producer Of The Year' with nominees such as Don Corleone, Stephen McGregor, Christopher Birch and dark horse Stephen Marley, with the coveted award going to the latter, many had tipped either Don Corleone of Stephen McGregor to have taken home the prize.

WINNERS IN ALL CATEGORIES FOR THE REGGAE ACADEMY AWARDS 2008

Best Reggae Song - 'Shes Royal - Omar Riley' (Songwriters Award)

Best Solo Male Vocal Performance - 'Shes Royal - Tarrus Riley '

Best Solo Female Reggae Vocal ' Roots - Etana' (Performance)

Best Reggae Album 'Mind Control Stephen Marley'

Best Instrumental Recording or Album - 'Making Notes Robbie Lyn'

Best Solo Male Dancehall Vocal - 'Nah Go A Jail Busy Signal'

Best Female Dancehall Vocal - 'Chat To Me Back Lady Saw'

Best Dancehall Vocal Performance - ' Love Is Wicked Brick and Lace' (Duo, Group)

Best Dancehall Album - 'Intoxication Shaggy'

Best Dancehall Video - 'Church Heathen Remix Jay Will'

Breakthrough Reggae Artist - 'Tarrus Riley'

Best Dancehall Riddim - 'Tremor Stephen McGregor'

Best Gospel Album - 'Prodigal Son Prodigal Son'

Best Gospel Song - 'Cant Stop Now - (Songwriters Award) Kemoy Rowe, William Barclay and Courick Clarke'

Best Music Producer - 'Stephen Marley'

Best International Reggae/Dancehall - 'Collie Buddz'

Best Reggae Compilation Album - 'Jamdown Riddim Driven Delmar'

(Executive Producers Award) Drummond/Danger zone

Best Reggae Video Shes Royal Rupert Campbell (Video Directors Award)

Best Reggae Recording Shes Royal Romel Marshall (Engineers Award)

Best Reggae Vocal Performance On My Mind DaVille & Sean Paul

 

Duo, Group, Collaboration

Best Dub Recording or Album Live As One Album Zion Train

Breakthrough Dancehall Artist Munga Honourable

Best Reggae Riddim Guardian Angel Arif Cooper/Fresh Ear (Producers Award)

Best Dancehall Song Nah Go A Jail Again Reanno Gordon (Songwriters Award)

Best Dancehall Compilation two Tremor Riddim Driven Stephen McGregor/ Big Ship Music (Executive Producers Award)

Best Dancehall Recording One Loaf a Bread Damian Marley (Engineers Award)

Best Solo Male Vocal Gospel This Place Prodigal Son

Performance

Best Solo Female Gospel Pray For Peace Chevelle Franklyn

Performance

Best Vocal Gospel Performance Ketch A Fyah Prodigal Son and Jason

By a Group, Duo or Collaboration Mighty

Best Gospel Music Video Gully People Supen Andrew Grey (Video Directors Award)

Most Popular Song Shes Royal Tarrus Riley (Peoples Choice Award)

Most Popular Artiste Beenie Man

Special Awardees

Reggae Trailblazer Award Chris Blackwell

Reggae Legend Award Ernie Ranglin

Reggae Icon Award Bob Marley