Def Jam recording star Rihanna leads the field with a massive haul of ten nominations among those nominated for the first Barbados Music Awards slated for January.
When the selection committee met recently, Rihanna was named along with Atlantic Records artiste Rupee, international performer Magnet Man, soca queen Alison Hinds, Party Monarch queen Natahlee and gospel sensation Kareen Clarke among others for the event promoted by Timeless Barbados Entertainment Agency at SherbourneConference Centre.
A special tribute will be paid to the late Janice Millington by her son, pianist Miles Robertson.
Here are the nominees, selected by the Barbados Music Awards' panel:
Best Soca Single (Female): Free by Kimberly Inniss, Colours by Natahlee and Shontelle, Major Key by Keann.
Best Soca Single (Male): Waistline Shots by Mr DJ, Big and Fat and Thick by Captain Sawyer, Wopatie by Jabae featuring Barry Chandler.
Best Social Commentary (Female): Know Wah Ya Got by TC, Woman by Tassa, Why Oh Why by Sammi Jane.
Best Social Commentary (Male): Glendairy Burning by Bumba, Only Bout Hey by Kid Site, Change by Mr Impact.
Best Ragga - Soca Single (Female): Love Zone by Keisha Christian, Death Trap by Donella, Stay The Night by Kimberley Inniss.
Best Ragga - Soca Single (Male): Sweetest Thing by Tony "Rebel" Bailey, One On One by Rupee, Nice and Easy by Lorenzo.
Best Reggae Single: Money Grabber by Shakey Ranks, Back Of The Club by Magnet Man, No No No by Rihanna.
Best Gospel Single: Running To You by Kareen Clarke, Why Oh Why by Sammi Jane, Freedom Fighter by KDB.
Best Gospel Album: Illumination by Cornerstone, Beyond Time by Second Coming, First Fruit by Kareen Clarke.
Best Hip Hop Single: Take Me Home by Billy Kincaid & Shontelle, Homeland by Baytown Crew, Get Ya Money Up by Dunz & Levi.
Best R&B Single: Roll by Alison Hinds, Lullaby by Toni Norville, If It's Lovin' That You Want by Rihanna.
Best Dance Single: Pon De Replay by Rihanna, Do It To Me One More Time by Magnet Man, Look At Me Now by Donella Weekes.
Best Jazz Single: Feel Like Making Love by Paul Thorne, Friends by Paul Thorne, Doin' It Saf by Aja.
Best Christmas Album: Caribbean Christmas Vol. 3.
Best Soca/Calypso Album: Breadfruit Swappers by Madd, Soca Revolution by Slam City, Timeless by krosfyah.
Best Compilation: Breadfruit Swappers by Madd, Soca Revolution by Slam City, Monsta Piece album.
Best Reggae/Dancehall Album: Music of The Sun by Rihanna, Magnificent by Magnet Man, Maniacs.
Best Music Video: Tempted To Touch by Rupee, How To Love by Magnet Man, Pon De Replay by Rihanna.
Album Of The Year: Music Of The Sun by Rihanna, Soca Revolution by Slam City, One On One by Rupee.
Song of The Year: Colours by Natahlee & Shontelle, Roll by Alison Hinds, Pon De Replay by Rihanna.
Songwriter of The Year: Shontelle, Edwin Yearwood, Red Plastic Bag, L'il Rick, Rupee.
Producer of The Year: Dale Husbands, Chris Allman, Deepu Panjwani.
Best New (Recording) Artist: Shontelle, Mr DJ, Rihanna, KDB, R&G.
Female Artist of The Year: Alison Hinds, Rihanna, Natahlee, Shontelle, Toni Norville.
Male Artist of The Year: Rupee, Magnet Man, Edwin Yearwood, L'il Rick, Mr DJ.
Instrumentalist of The Year: Arturo Tappin (saxophone), Paul Thorne (trumpet), Darien Bailey (keyboards).
Band Of The Year: Jabae, Strategy, krosfyah.
Best-Selling Female Artist Of The Year: Kareen Clarke, Rihanna, Toni Norville, Julie, Rosemarie.
Best-Selling Male Artist of The Year: Edwin Yearwood, Rupee, L'il Rick, Red Plastic Bag, Magnet Man.
Entertainer of The Year: Rihanna, Rupee, Alison Hinds, Natahlee, Li'l Rick, Shontelle, Magnet Man, Edwin Yearwood.
Lifetime Achievement Awards: Charles D. Lewis, The Merrymen.
Living Legend Award: Mighty Gabby
BMA Icon Award: Nicholas Brancker.
