A star has fallen.
Once the highlight of the local entertainment calendar, the bright lights seemed to have faded on this year’s edition of the rebranded Barbados Music, Fashion And Film Awards. Now in its ninth year, the usually star-studded event lacked the “it factor” that made it a must-see in years past.
Kudos must be given to the team for running a tight show, especially since it was originally a two-night event which was condensed into one. The three-hour awards and recognition ceremony rewarded the work of several outstanding Barbadian film-makers, fashion designers and musicians, some of whom were not present.
Once again, Anderson Blood Armstrong was a big winner on the night, copping Male Entertainer Of The Year and Soca Artist Of The Year. Soka Kartel, of which he is a member, won Band/Group Of The Year.
First-time winners also had reasons to smile on Sunday. Dwayne Husbands received his first Barbados Music Award for Soul/R&B Artist Of The Year, while Hip Hop/Rap artist Nitro was adjudged the best in his field for 2013. Reigning calypso monarch Ian Webster walked away with Calypso (Social Commentary) Artist Of The Year (Male), with Christal Cummins-Beckles taking the prize in the female section. Soca/dancehall sensations Porgie And Murda copped New Artist Of The Year to a round of loud applause from the modest audience in the Lloyd Erskine Sandiford Centre.
Unsurprisingly, Rihanna received her usual share of the crop: Pop/Rock Artist Of The Year, Song Of The Year, Album Of The Year and Female Entertainer Of The Year.
Other winners included Livvi Franc for Songwriter Of The Year, Peter Coppin who copped Producer Of The Year and Elan Trotman Jazz Artist/Group Of The Year.
Gospel Artist/Group Of The Year went to A Few Good Men, while Buggy Nhakente earned Reggae Artist/Group Of The Year.
Fashion-forward collections from Simon Peter, Sonia Noel from Guyana, homegrown Brand Evolve and Trinidad’s The Cloth also had their time in the limelight. Each collection flaunted eye-catching colours and uniquely Caribbean designs for all sizes, which were a hit with the audience.
Ch’an and Tobias opened the evening of musical performances, which also featured Jahir and Toni Norville, Nyron, Ian Webster, Dirty Versee, Dwayne Husbands, Debbie Reifer and Malissa Alanna. They kept the engaged crowd entertained during collections and award presentations. Malissa Alanna’s Hell On Heels was refreshingly amazing, and was perhaps one of the more memorable offerings on the night, as was the Bluetooth Breakers’ creative dance presentation.
Barbadians also got a taste of Guyanese “Rihanna” Lisa Punch and countrymate Travis Bowen. Nitro, LRG, Daniel Reid represented for the local hip hop fraternity, and crowd favourites Porgie And Murda closed out the show with their hits from last Crop Over season.
