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Kenya’s dancehall ace Kevin Wyre scooped the Best New Entertainer award during the International Reggae And World Music Awards (IRAWMA) ceremony held in Florida on Saturday.
The Kenyan star beat celebrated international dancehall kings among the Jamaica’s Chronixx and D Major to become the first African act to score such a feat.
“The competition was quite high and scoring against such prominent stars wasn’t easy. It is a great achievement in my music career and i give glory to God as i thank my fans for making me the star i am,” Wyre told MondayBlues yesterday.
“This goes a long way to show that Kenyan music has crossed the boarders. Our voice is being heard beyond the continent, he remarked.
Since the IRAWMA were established back in 1982 – with the intent of honouring, promoting and recognising the contribution of various Reggae and World Music artists-no other East African star has ever won.
Wyre’s songs among them She say that, featuring Jamaican star Cecile have become international hits. He is one of the few African stars who have featured in the latest reggae riddims making him the most accepted African reggae singer internationally.
It was a big night for the Kenyan performer who also thrilled guest during the prestigious glamour event held at Coral Spring Centre for the Arts.
Since its last staging in Florida, IRAWMA has traveled to several cities among them Atlanta, New Orleans, Montego Bay, Ocho Rios and New York.
by Stevens Muendo
