NEW YORK, NY – April 21, 2006 – The 25th Silver Anniversary of the International Reggae and World Music Awards (IRAWMA) [http://www.irawma.com], is attracting major attention from around the world commented event founder and producer Ephraim Martin today, as excitement builds for the star-studded, black-tie optional music awards event which is being planned for worldwide syndication and distribution.

This prestigious, celebrity hosted event featuring Grammy winner performers and recording artists will be held this year at The World Famous Apollo Theatre, 253 West 125 Street, New York, New York, Saturday, May 6th, commencing at 8:00PM for general admission and 7:00PM for V.I.P attendees. Tickets are available from Apollo Theatre Box Office telephone (212) 531-5305 and all Ticketmaster outlets (www.ticketmaster.com) telephone (212) 307-7171. 

The 25th IRAWMA is being planned for the first time for TV syndication and distribution, which will feature “live on-tape” and “live cut-ins” globally from countries such as the U.K., Jamaica, Ghana and possibly Asia through KHEMETCOM Entertainment Corp [http://www.khemetcom.tv] based in Chicago and headed by founder & CEO, Michelle K. Thomas, who is a 21 year industry professional. Formerly known as M.K. Thomas & Company, Inc., KHEMETCOM Entertainment Corp’s, numerous clients have included, Tribune Entertainment, ESSENCE Communications, Johnson Publishing Company, WABC-TV, WCBS-TV, amongst others. Thomas is also the inventor of the first working online methodology for sales of barter programs to broadcast stations around the world of which she has a patent applied for.

The IRAWMA annually honors the very best in Reggae and World Beat Music with the staging of this popular event; Performers include: Damian Marley, Beenie Man, Alton Ellis, Machel Montano, Marcia Griffith, Macka Diamond, Tami Chynn, Gyptian, Half Pint, Mutabaruka, The Specialist & Lyrical Don, Ruff Stuff Band, and Benny Bwoy “among many others. 

Among the leading nominees for 2006 are: Elephant Man, with 8 nominations, Damian Marley and Sean Paul (6), Beenie Man and Jah Cure (5), with I Wayne, T.O.K, Luciano and Gyptian, garnering four nominations. Other reggae and world music nominees include: Akon, Sly and Robbie, Freddy McGregor, Buju Banton, Sizzla, Kanye West, Shaggy, Toots and the Maytals, Beres Hammond, Dean Fraser, Ernie Ranglin, Carlene Davis, Third World, Burning Spear, among others. Visit the IRAWMA website: www.irawma.com for a full list of nominees, special awards, IRAWMA Hall of Fame recipients and sponsorship information.

Event sponsors are: Air Jamaica, Coco Cola, Radio One, Gleaner/Star-NA, MoneyGram, Linkup Media, Caribbean Life Magazine, Hoy Newspaper, CVM Television, NY Liberty Star Newspaper, The Crossover Radio, IrieJam Media, Talk with Marie-93.5 FM, DJ Steve’s Tax Services Inc., Dennis Shipping, WPSC FM, CME-WLIB, Sam’s Caribbean Market Place, IrieJam Media, R5 Radio and WhereItzat Magazine, among others. 

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