TD Irie Music Awards hits Toronto

The IRIE Music Awards has been created to foster the growth of the Canadian reggae and world music industry by recognizing excellence and increasing exposure for Canadian artists in these genres.

Celebrating the best in Canadian reggae and world music, the inaugural IRIE Music Awards will take place on Friday, July 29th , 2011 at the Phoenix Concert Theatre.

Canada has been home to many world class artists performing in these genres. Genres include reggae, soca, Latin, African and related music styles. Too often these artists go under-appreciated and unnoticed.

Radio, video play and performance opportunities are far and few between and simply does not reflect the enormous contributions these artists make towards Canadian culture.

Ground-breaking artists in these genres include internationally acclaimed artists such as Leroy Sibbles, Jackie Mittoo, Tarig Abubakar & the Afro Nubians, Lorrine Klaasen; Lilian Allen, Crack of Dawn, Messinjah, Truths & Rights, Ishan People, 20th Century Rebels, David Rudder, Luis Mario Ochoa and Hilario Duran to name a few.

These artists have laid the foundation for a generation of new artists to continue to put Canada on the international map as home to more than rock and roll and country music.

Therefore it is necessary in our view that we reflect a musical reality that is more reflective and inclusive of the diversity of modern Canada.

We believe the IRIE Music Awards can help to change this.
The IRIE Music Awards intends to grow along with Canada’s culturally diverse population. The IRIE Music Festival Inc., home of the IRIE Music Awards will also focus on providing professional development and showcasing opportunities going forward.

We hope that all those organizations and individuals who share our goals will join us in celebrating and supporting these Canadian artists for their musical accomplishments.

We especially would like to thank FACTOR for their support of this new initiative. We have come a long way and the future looks great.