Dozens of local CDs have been released so far this year, with expressions ranging across a wide cross section of musical genres from punta to reggae to gospel. And all types and flavors of local music will come together for what is a first: a Belizean entertainment music award. Nearly a hundred nominees will compete in ten categories. None will be more competitive than those for reggae dancehall. Keith checked in with the multiple nominees today.
Keith SwiftReporting,
You heard their rhymes first on 7NEWS: from Dan Marcus I rebuke to Tanya Stephens.
[Dan Marcus Singing 'It's not a pity']
To Bobbo Youth's anti-Babylon anthem.
[Bobbo Youth rapping 'Protect and Serve'}
And his label mate teen dream queen Britney.
[Britney singing 'Oh Boy']
They dominated the airwaves this year and now these local artists will battle for top honors at the Belize entertainment awards show Saturday. Jobie Yorke is the show's producer.
Jobie Yorke, Awards Show Producer
"Pandemonium strictly its madness. It's a first for Belize definitely. Global Promotions strives on doing new stuff and pushing entertainment to a higher level. So as you see with prom scenarios, its going to be something like that with red carpet, people doing their arrivals…its going to be crazy trust me. You will be treated to the red carpet entrance, people arriving in the Hummers and Escalades and whatever have you, and also to come in and see the show. A lot of people are anticipating seeing who is going to win for their specific categories. I emptied my P.O. Box again today and I got mail from all over Belize. The box right there is filled up to the rim actually so people definitely will be out there."
And on that red carpet all eyes will be on the 'Hotwire' and 'heights a vibe' camps who are tied with 4 nominations apiece. We stopped at the 'vibz' camp where though Fawda Lee is out of town, Young C says they will still represent on Saturday.
Young C, Rapper - Heights A Vibe
"Well I personally feel good to be on it the first time performing and everything. The rest of guys aren't really here but we will still full in for that. Don't worry about nothing."
KS: _You are tied for 4 nominations with Hotwire. Who do you think will come out on top, especially people talk of a rivalry between the two cliques?
Young C,
"Well I can't say about that because it's all up to the people out there. We compete against each other and that's what we do to keep up the game; that is what builds us up. Other than that there is no rivalry or nothing. We are not into those thing."
And across town, the newcomers at Hotwire studio are also leaving it in your hands. Their star Bobbo Youth says he is having his best year ever and this is just the icing on the cake while comeback kid Louie Ghanzy says he just feels blessed.
Louie Ghanzey, Reggae Artist - Hotwire
"Well right now me just feel blessed because I am putting in the work and the people they can see that works are being put in and the message is being sent across. So we are prepared right now and we feel so good."
Bobbo Youth, Rapper - Hotwire
"Well I am confident, I am well confident because then so much people already tell me they will vote for me and I have so many fans. I am confident."
KS: _You are confident but you are going head to head with 'Heights A Vibe.' Who do you think will win especially since we always hear of the rivalry?
Bobbo Youth,
"That is a question that is buzzing around all the while, everybody is asking me that but there is no competition. We are just doing this for the music."
Which is why Bobbo and these other artists say Saturday won't be so much about winning as it will be about simply feeling appreciated.
Bobbo Youth,
"Its exciting. I feel good you check. I feel it in my heart. I wanted something like this to happen a long time for us in Belize because this will show a little interest, the people will show interest too but we want the people come out because we will show them what we could do check."
KS: _Does an award show like this make what you are doing worth the while?
Bobbo Youth,
"Yes man you check. At least we will know that people like it and we are doing it for a reason and purpose and its not for nothing."
Young C, Heights A Vibe
"I noh really care about winning. I am just glad to be on the show for the first time on the show, an award show. Belize is doing big things. Winning doesn't play any game, its just to do our thing how we usually do our thing."
The winners will be selected by voting on ballot papers found in the weekly newspapers. Saturday's show at the Bliss Center starts at 8 pm however the red carpet arrivals begin at 6:30. Tickets are $30 and $35. The show will be hosted by Rhenae Nunez and William Neal.
7NEWS produced for broadcast by News Director Jules Vasquez
Edited for the internet by Keith Swift