International Reggae And World Music Awards (IRAWMA) 2011, POS, Trinidad

The 30th International Reggae and World Music Awards (IRAWMA) will be coming to the Caribbean region this year. The 2011 staging of the awards is to be held at the National Academy of the Performing Arts in Port of Spain, Trinidad on May 28. Topping the list of nominees this year is Reggae artiste Gyptian, who is nominated in eight categories. Machel Montano, Trinidad and Tobago's King of Soca and recent winner of the Soca Monarch and Road March titles, is also nominated. He is nominated in seven categories. Damian 'Junior Gong' Marley is also nominated in seven categories while legendary producers Sly and Robbie received six nominations. Dancehall artiste Vybz Kartel received five nominations. Other multiple nominees include Jah Cure, Beenie Man, Elephant Man, I-Octane, Queen Ifrica, Shaggy, Rihanna, Nicki Minja, Tarrus Riley, Third World, Gramps Morgan and Marcia Griffiths. The celebrations will continue on May 29, with a concert of the nominees and winners, Reggae meets Soca and Chutney, at the Queens Park Savannah also in Port Of Spain Trinidad.
See http://www.irawma.com for more information.

South-America Stealing Caribbean music?

Take a look at this post to see the soca music that were allegedly being stolen.
Fast forward to around the 1 minute mark in the video below. Sounds familiar?


More...

Soca music being stolen by Panama Reggaeton quartet?

As of yesterday social networking mediums were in a frenzy over the alleged copyright infringement on some of our local soca artists by Panamanian group known as Comando Tiburón (DJ Rolo, DJ Flecha, DJ Magnetic and DJPhantom).

Case #1: The former radio DJs boldly sang over Winners of the 2010 International Power Soca Monarch Competition JW & Blaze's Palance maintaining the same beat, concept and possibly lyrics. They even went as far as producing a music video as though it was their original content.

JW & Blaze - Palance


Comando Tiburón - Jingle PH 2011


Notice any similarities? Palance's producer Kernal Roberts as well as artists Jason "JW" Williams and Ancil "Blaze" Isaac have since stated that their song was used without their permission. Copyright Music Organisation of Trinidad and Tobago (COTT) is investigating the matter.

Case #2: The quartet also covered and produced a video for the deceased Blazer Dan's (RIP) hit "Somebody". It is unclear whether or not they received permission for this song as well.

Blazer Dan - "Somebody" ft Maximus dan, Faye-Ann, Bunji, Anna Assing


Comando Tiburon - Vete Pa' la Verga


Case #3: Destra's Bonnie & Clyde anyone?

Destra - Bonnie & Clyde


Comando Tiburon - Te vote


It seems as though South-America has really embraced Caribbean music. They've even copied dancehall as well. Click here to read this post.