Vybz Kartel honored with 2 major awards at 2026 IRAWMA ceremony; wins 9 total

Dancehall superstar Vybz Kartel added to his global resurgence on Sunday night after receiving the Jimmy Cliff Award and the Best Caribbean Entertainer Award at the 43rd annual International Reggae and World Music Awards in Lauderhill.

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Kartel, whose real name is Adidja Palmer, took home nine awards during the ceremony held at the Lauderhill Performing Arts Center on May 17, including the Hon. Bob Marley Award for Entertainer of the Year, the Peter Tosh Award for Recording Artist of the Year and the Best Caribbean Entertainer Award.

The Best Caribbean Entertainer Award was presented to Kartel by reggae artist Ky-Mani Marley during the ceremony.

Kartel also won the Gregory Isaacs Award for Best Song for “God Is the Greatest,” the Toots Hibbert Award for Best Album/CD for “Heart and Soul,” the Jimmy Cliff Award for Best Crossover Song and Best Male DJ/Rapper.

His two shared wins came through “You Remind Me,” the DJ Khaled track featuring Kartel, Buju Banton, Bounty Killer and Mavado. The song won Best Collaboration Reggae Song and Best Music Video.

The recognition follows Kartel’s widely publicized 2025 Worl’ Boss Tour, which saw the entertainer perform across multiple international markets after returning to the global stage.

Kartel entered this year’s IRAWMA ceremony as the leading nominee, earning 11 nominations across nine categories. Other major nominees included Shaggy, Sean Paul, Spice and Shenseea.

Other Jamaican and Caribbean acts also collected awards during the evening. Shenseea won Best Female DJ/Rapper, Masicka’s “Her Name Is Love” won Best EP Recording, Spice won Best Dancehall Stagecraft Entertainer and the Marcus Garvey Humanitarian Award, Busy Signal was named Best Singjay Entertainer, and DJ Mac won Producer of the Year.

Following his win, Kartel shared an extensive message on Instagram thanking the International Reggae and World Music Awards and supporters around the world.

 

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“Tonight, I give thanks to the International Reggae And World Music Awards for this incredible honor,” Kartel wrote.

“Awards like these do more than celebrate individuals — they help preserve the heartbeat of our culture. They remind the world that reggae and dancehall are not just music… they are history, struggle, triumph, spirit, and identity. To be recognized by your peers is one of the highest honors an artist can receive, because greatness means more when it is acknowledged by those who truly understand the journey.”

He continued: “As we say, ‘Legends don’t live forever through fame alone… they live forever through the people they inspire.’”

Kartel also thanked the event organizers and members of the music industry for continuing to elevate Caribbean culture globally.

“Big respect to the organizers, the entire IRAWMA team, every selector, producer, artist, media house, and supporter who continues to push Caribbean culture forward on the world stage,” he said.

The entertainer also paid tribute to his supporters worldwide.

“To my fans worldwide — Gaza nation — thank you for standing with me through every chapter. This moment belongs to you as much as it belongs to me.”

Kartel ended the statement by expressing gratitude to God.

“And last but certainly never least… thank you GOD. For the strength, the lessons, the purpose, and the blessings. Without Him, none of this is possible.

“Humbled. Grateful. Still working.
– Vybz Kartel.”