Sport & Entertainment
JAM | Apr 15, 2026

Dr. Carlene Davis elated at IRAWMA nomination

/ Our Today

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Gospel artiste Carlene Davis

Dr. Carlene Davis is humbled after being nominated in the Best Gospel Entertainer category at this year’s International Reggae & World Music Awards (IRAWMA). 

The awards is set for May 17, 2026, at the Lauderdale Performing Arts Centre in South Florida.

“Nominations are a part of life, something that happens based on how people see things and not necessarily what you expect.  I do appreciate the nomination, especially from where the message of the Gospel is recognised and is so necessary in our society.  So much so that the organisers of IRAWMA would give the Gospel of Jesus Christ a category,” she said.

The other nominees are: DJ Nicholas, Kevin Downswell, Papa San, Judith Gayle, Prince Saj, and Jason Mighty.

Kevin Downswell, popular gospel singer and inspirational book author, proudly holds his instruments for the Order of Distinction in the rank of Officer at the Ceremony of Investiture and Presentation of National Honours and Awards 2025. The annual event was held on the lawns of King’s House on Heroes Day, Monday, October 20, 2025. (OUR TODAY photo/Olivia Hutchinson)

She also explained that the nomination signifies a ray of hope.

“It means ‘as long as there is life there is hope’, according to how the Holy Spirit guides us through all truth—including myself—who I seek to give me guidance in all that I do and say,” she said.

Davis has been nominated and won several awards on several occasions through this organisation as far back as in the 1980s- 1990s, when it was called Martin’s International Reggae Music Awards, as Best Female Vocalist, Best Music Video, Best Gospel Oriented Entertainer, 1992 Best Gospel Album, and as IRAWMA in 2015 received Best Gospel Album for Dripping Blood.

Should she win another award this year, Davis said that it would be a win for her ministry.

Gospel recording artiste Papa San in a scene from his ‘Lessons’ music video released December 12, 2020. (Photo taken from video | Youtube @iampapasan)

“I am not a competitive person by nature. But, by being nominated in this international event that gives recognition to persons in the music industry on a global level, I am already a winner being a part of the Kingdom of God and if Carlene Davis wins, it is a victory for the Kingdom, and for that I say to God be the glory,” she said.

Over the past few months, Davis has ministered throughout the Caribbean: Barbados, St Lucia, Dominica, Guyana, the USA and across Jamaica.  She has co-produced and released her last project Songs of Zion and single Holy Forever on the Glory Music label through VPal Music.  She has released singles such No Regrets, which received the Outstanding Reggae Recording of 2025 at The Marlin’s Awards, Bahamas. 

The recording artiste was the recipient of the Marcus Garvey Iconic Award from the Commission of the City of Miramar, Florida, in February 2026. She also ministered on the Love & Harmony Cruise on Easter Sunday, April 5, 2026.

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