World music awards to be held in T&T
At a later date
Stating that steelpan music “did not get the recognition it deserved,”
Martin said he was disappointed that a “pan category” could not be
introduced but he simply was “not getting enough requests for pan
music.” He promised, however, to ensure that the nation’s national
instrument received its just due at the event in the near future. When
asked about the readiness of the IRAWMA team to pull off the upcoming
show, Martin told the T&T Guardian that everything was “falling into
place” and that preparations were “coming together.”
However, during the conference, the team was visibly unprepared to answer questions posed by the media, including which local artistes were
booked to perform, and whether international nominees would be in
Trinidad for the event. “We’ll answer that at a later date,” Martin
repeatedly replied. He did divulge, however, that more than 1,000
tourists would be coming to Trinidad to attend the celebration, and that
tickets would be distributed on a “first come first served basis.” He
added, “There will be large screens for those choosing to get the
outdoor tickets and NAPA would be designed in such a way as to
accommodate everyone.”
... American Hip-Hop stars Drake and Rick Ross, US singer Alicia Keys and Barbadian R&B songstress Rhianna are among the large crop of
artistes nominated for the 30th annual International Reggae & World
Music Awards (IRAWMA) to be held at The National Academy For the
Performing Arts (NAPA) on May 28. Several local and regional performers
such as JW and Blaze, Nigel Lewis, Iwer George, Beenie Man and Queen
Ifrica are also vying for awards in various categories.
OTHER NOMINEES
Best Male Vocalist
Beres Hammond
Gyptian
Jah Cure
Tarrus Riley
Romain Virgo
Best Female Vocalist
Etana
Alaine
Marcia Griffiths
Queen Ifrica
Tanya Stephens
Most Popular Hip Hop Entertainer
Rhianna
Rick Ross
Nicki Minaj
Black Eye Peas
Drake
Songwriter of the Year
Kernel Roberts
Gyptian
Machel Montano
Damian Marley
Vybz Kartel
Replies
NAPA??? Where all the patrons go park? In the Savannah? Just curious.
Peter
I sense that "steelpan" will somehow make it's way onto this stage in the land of oil and music.
P.S. Drake considers himself Canadian.
Should steelpan music be given a category in "World" music?
It would seem to me that pan people have successfully shown that steel pans as musical instruments are quite at home playing any type of music.
Therefore, a jazz album by Narell or Greenidge should be critiqued as such in the conventional media, and held to the standards of Jazz.
Similarly, pop music by Jamma or Professor should be looked at as such, not as some exotic music form.
Quite frankly, I've always looked at the "World" music designation as a vast musical "ghetto" for music that cannot be categorised, similar to the genre "other".
I think that steelpan music should be critiqued in the category it belongs to, be it jazz, classical, pop or calypso, not as some rare, unusual musical artform.
i look forward to the day when the steelpan is looked upon as just another musical instrument. like a saxaphone, cello, oboe or clarinet.
(Almost like judging a person by "the content of his character, not the color of his skin" to quote MLK jr)
Can we hear what Pantrinbago has to say about this?
Please Keith...respond.