Several local artists earned well deserved Barbados Music Awards on Sunday and put in splendid performances.

But the event hit a sour note when it dragged on passed the appointed finish time.

The 7 p.m. scheduled start went over by half an hour and the show ran in excess of four hours after an extended intermission.

It meant that some patrons missed out on krosfyah’s dynamic performance including some thrilling choreography.

On the inside the audience was in agreement with most of the winners, but the Media Award-Radio which was won by Hurricane of 98.1 F.M., left some a bit baffled at the list of nominees which did not include favourite John Doe.

He got his revenge by winning the People’s Choice Award.

The big awards of Entertainer Of The Year female and male went to Rihanna and Lil Rick respectively, which went down well with the audience from its rousing response.

As expected Rihanna also took away four awards and was given a special award, while Lil Rick also won Best Soca Single.

Three for jazz

Others coming out on top were David Kirton with three awards Best Reggae Single, Reggae Artiste Of The Year and Best Music Video male.

Rubytech & Damian Marvay also took home three BMA’s in the rap category, and Arturo Tappin three for jazz.

krosfyah received Band Of The Year and Best Soca Album Duo or Group.

Kimberley Inniss and Keann took home two for “Sweat”, Mr Dale two, including Writer Of The Year and Best Ragga Soca Single Male for Soka Junkie of which he gave a delightful performance with his “addicted dancers” putting the audience in fits of laughter.

The media award for Print/Internet went to former NATION Publishing journalist Andrea King.

Overall, the show seemed to be at a slightly lower key than last year’s and lacked the razzmatazz that accompanied the red carpet arrivals in 2007.

Divine intervention

The carpet missed the hot fashions making it easy for a few of the awardees and VIPs to stand out with a welcoming by “angels”.

The stage setting was somewhat confusing as the area where the actual awards were presented did not seem the most suited and the “bridge” used by the ushers delivering the awards was not functional.

Part of the excitement of the night was dampened by the number of absent winners.

On the other hand other performers who stood out were Tara, Philip Scantlebury, Machel Montano, who got a Lifetime Achievement Award, Patrice Roberts, Shontelle and Beenie Man, Livvy Franc, Hal Linton and Sizzla who brought the audience to its feet.

However, a dapper Lil Rick showed why he was the top entertainer moving the stoic VIP section into a bit of “wukking up” to his Caan Wait.
Source: The Nation Newspaper