For 43 years, Dr. Ephraim Martin has dedicated his life to recognizing excellence in reggae and world music through the International Reggae and World Music Awards (IRAWMA). What began as a vision inspired by conversations with reggae legends Bob Marley, Rita Marley, Jacob Miller, and Peter Tosh has become one of the most enduring award institutions in Black music and culture.
Following the recent staging at the Lauderhill Performing Arts Center in Florida, Dr. Martin took time out to share with World Music Views, the origins of the IRAWMA Awards, the evolution of reggae and world music and addressed one of the most talked-about subjects in the industry: how winners are selected.
From Photojournalist to Founder of IRAWMA
Before launching the International Reggae and World Music Awards, Martin was a photojournalist at Jamaica’s Daily Gleaner and The Star. During that era, reggae artists had limited access to mainstream media, making journalists like Martin critical to helping their stories reach the public.
“People like Bob Marley, Peter Tosh, Jacob Miller and others, their people would get to us every week with new releases and stories for us to get into the newspaper,” Martin recalled.
One life-changing moment came in March 1980 when Rita Marley persuaded him to cover Bob Marley’s arrival in Jamaica after the reggae icon won a soccer trophy in Brazil.
“Bob was hitting me on my side and Jacob Miller on the other side, and they both said to me, ‘Man, you need to help us out. You need to travel with us.’”
At the time, Martin had no plans to become involved in the music business.
“I wasn’t impressed at the time that I wanted to do anything,” he admitted.
Just days later, tragedy struck when Jacob Miller died in a car accident.
“It was the time I started thinking about what can I do,” Martin said.
Years later, after relocating to Chicago and working with the Chicago Defender, another reggae giant would help shape the future of the awards.
“Peter Tosh and I had a meeting. After we discussed everything, we decided we could have these reggae awards, but at the same time use music as that vehicle for the freedom of Nelson Mandela, to end apartheid, and as a way of expressing the voices of the peoples of the world.”
That vision became reality on May 1, 1982, when the first International Reggae Music Awards was held.
“Not knowing that 43 years later we would still be here. But here we are.”
Growing With the Music
Over the decades, reggae has evolved from roots and conscious music into a global force encompassing dancehall, Afrobeat, reggaeton, and other genres. Martin says IRAWMA has evolved right alongside it.
“In those days, it was more hardcore records that spoke to the voice of the people and addressed conditions and social justice,” he explained.
As artists such as Buju Banton, Shaggy, and others emerged, the sound of the culture expanded.
“We try to adjust to make sure that all the people in the industry could be recognized. We later incorporated the world music portion of it and included reggaeton and other world music genres.”
For Martin, the awards’ focus remains rooted in African-descended musical traditions.
“The world music that we focus on is more so Afrobeat and music from the African sound — African, Caribbean and Latin America primarily.”
A 43-Year Commitment
Producing an international awards show for more than four decades requires persistence, sacrifice, and passion.
“It costs a lot,” Martin said. “You have to do it for the love of it, for the people of it and the culture of it.”
While sponsors occasionally help offset costs, many years have required creative solutions.
“Sometimes you have to scale back, scale down, to make sure it happens. You may not be able to put it on at the level you want, but you make sure it is there to give respect and honor to those people who have contributed to the industry.”
“The Voting Is by the People”
This year Vybz Kartel walked away win 9 awards from 11 nominations Perhaps and subsequently, there has been discussions around the process used to select nominees and winners. Martin made it clear that the decisions are not made by him.
“That’s the greatest part of all. That’s the part I love,” he said. “I want it to be clear to all the entertainers and everyone that I don’t do that.”
According to Martin, the nomination process begins with music industry experts from around the world.
“We send it to all the experts and we ask all the people in the industry who are keeping a close watch throughout the entire year to come up with their recommendations for who should be considered the best for that particular year.”
Those recommendations are reviewed and tabulated independently.
“When all of those are submitted to our accountant, then the first five — and sometimes six — per category are put on the ballot.”
The final decision is then placed directly in the hands of fans.
“Once they are on the ballot, those ballots are then published publicly online so the general public can play their role and say who, in their opinion, is really the best of that particular year.”
Martin says winners are determined solely by public voting.
“With their vote, we determine the winner right there.”
To maintain fairness, voting restrictions are enforced.
“Only one vote is allowed per person. You cannot vote more than one. If you try to, then you’ll be kicked out of the system.”
Addressing critics who question the outcomes, Martin says the organization remains neutral.
“We have no interest in any individual artist or any of the nominees to favor one over the other. We are not into that. It’s just what the people say.”
He noted that artists who actively engage their supporters often benefit from stronger voter participation.
“Some entertainers collaborate with the posts and encourage their fans to show love and support. Sometimes they have a way of getting over another entertainer who may not take the time to share and collaborate.”
Ultimately, Martin insists the public decides.
“The voting is by the people. We have nothing to do with it individually.”
Looking Toward Year 44
As IRAWMA prepares to enter its 44th year, Martin hopes to see greater participation from the music industry itself.
“It’s not for any one person. It’s for all of us with interest in the music industry.”
He believes stronger support from key industry stakeholders can elevate the awards to new heights.
“We want them to step up and be a part of what we’re doing and help us take it to that next level.”
Despite the challenges, Martin remains focused on preserving the culture and ensuring that future generations continue the work.
“Let’s come together and let’s work together as one, all of us, to make it better, because tomorrow when we are gone, tomorrow’s children must be the ones to keep it going for the industry and for our culture.”
