The Region 10 Tourism Committee recently hosted the first Annual Linden Music Awards which saw young talents from the mining town dominating the ceremony.
The Linden Music Awards saw some of the town’s most talented men and women being rewarded for their contributions made to Guyana’s diverse musical industry.
The award ceremony was held at the Watooka Guest House on Saturday under strict COVID-19 guidelines, and was streamed live on Facebook.
Winners were awarded following specific judging criteria and were judged by Michael James, Jenel Arthur and ‘DJ Dan Hype’.
Walking away with the most awards was young star, ‘Mafi’, who won three awards: Best New Artiste of the Year, People’s Choice Award, and Collaboration of the Year with Davy Marley.
Meanwhile, Brandon Harding was awarded Soca Artiste of the Year; Diana Chapman, Contemporary Artiste of the Year; Jason ‘Director Dex’ Copeland, Music Video Director of the Year; ‘Static’, True Patriot Award; Pastor McDonald, Musician of the Year, and, Calypsonian of the Year went to ‘De Professor’.
Additionally, Best Live Gospel Band went to the Redeemers Band; Best Female Gospel Artiste, Rene Winter and Best Male Gospel Artiste, Double G, among others.
The awards also saw live performances by ‘Lil Colwin’, Diana Chapman, Davy Marley, Brandon Harding, ‘Up Top Boss’, ‘Hot Rass’, ‘Miracle’, ‘Double G’, and ‘Gucci Boss’, among others.
Mayor of Linden, Waneka Arrindell; Member of Parliament, Devin Sears; Member of Parliament, Jermaine Figueria; Regional and Municipal officials were among those present.
In a brief statement Sears, who is also the Chairman of the Region 10 Tourism Committee, said that Linden made history by introducing the annual Linden Music Awards to Guyana.
He noted that the Linden artistes’ creativity became paramount especially during the global pandemic, adding that the quality of composition and production of music is on par with the rest of the world and will continue to get better.
Sears encouraged artistes to continue working on their craft while using social media as a platform to promote themselves.
The chairman predicted that 2021 will be an exceptional year for Guyanese music.
In a press statement, the Region 10 Tourism Committee noted that the Linden billboard will be introduced in the future and each awardee will be given $100,000 GYD in the coming year.
The Linden Music Awards is projected to be bigger and better in 2021.
