THE second annual Jamaica International Music Awards (JIMA) is scheduled for February 28 at the Nobhill Hall in Sunrise, Florida.

According to organisers, the event which is promoted by radio station WZPP 92.7 FM, seeks to honour the best in Jamaican music and artistes.

Jeanniel Sterling is the event’s director and co-founder.

“The ceremony has been conceptualised as a vehicle to allow us, as a people, to own and honour our music, instead of waiting for others to do so. It is critical, because oftentimes when others include our artistes in larger awards ceremonies, it is usually from their perspective regarding what/how they think about our music. With JIMA, all awardees will be selected based on what we as a people think about our music. The event will showcase our music, our artistes, and honour the best among them,” said Sterling.

Dancehall artistes Spice, 450, Jahshii, Rygin King, and Joby Jay secured multiple nominations in this year’s awards.

Sterling shared what makes JIMA unique when compared to other award shows.

“The different and uniqueness of this award is we are honouring our artistes and its not just a committee who does this selection but the people themselves. This year we will be adding the Dancehall Icon Awards,” she explained.

Winners are decided from voting by members of the public on the JIMA website.

“Expect great performances and surprise guest awardees at this year’s staging. We will be back at the same venue as last year which is the Nobhill Hall in Sunrise, Florida,” said Sterling.

Some of the categories in this year’s JIMA Awards include:

Best Reggae/Dancehall Album/EP — Female:

Gifted — Koffee, The Experience — Lila Ike, Alpha — Shenseea, Emancipated — Spice, Some Kinda Madness — Tanya Stephens

Best Reggae/Dancehall Album/EP — Male:

Third Time’s The Charm — Protoje, The Kalling — Kabaka Pyramid, Scorcha — Sean Paul, Therapy — Rygin King, Com Fly Wid Me — Shaggy

Best Reggae/Dancehall New Artiste:

450, Biggs Don, Jahshii, Joby Jay, Valiant

Best Reggae Gospel Act:

Alicia Taylor, Flavia Beswick, Marion Hall, Omari, Oshane Mais, Petra Kaye, Rhoda Isabella

Best DJ in Jamaica:

Antsman, Bishop Escobar, Black Bwoy, Collin Hines, Boom Boom, DJ Marvin, DJ Milton, Shukkle Bus, Krazy Kris

Among the winners at last year’s awards were: Spice — Song of the Year for Go Down Deh featuring Shaggy and Sean Paul; DJ Kurt Riley — Best DJ in Jamaica; Spragga Benz and Mad Cobra — Lifetime Achievement Award; I-Octane — Humanitarian Award; Kevin Downswell — Best Gospel Artiste; and Stone Love and Metro Media — Stalwart Awards.