Glitz, glamour and glitches

GARY CARDINEZ

It was extremely difficult to sit down in the (Aldwyn Roberts) Lord Kitchener Auditorium at NAPA to witness the first TT (Caribbean) Music and Entertainment Awards (TTCME).

Put on by Acknowledging Caribbean Talent (ACT) and in the absence of any other function to honour and reward all entertainers in TT, the TTCME Awards is a welcome and commendable gesture, but it was quite obvious the event was not well executed.

There was glitz and glamour, but there were too many glitches throughout the show on October 26. There appeared to be a lack of stage management and things looked scrappy at times. Imagine having to sit through 25 live performances and 26 awards presentation with that many flaws.

The awards included three for achievement and seven recognition awards. Some of the awards were derived through voting in two phases via bmobile.The presenters, most of whom were radio personalities, were out in full force but the award winners were not forthcoming when the results were announced.

The most embarrassing moment came when the main sponsor went onstage to present an award and was left by himself without any information about the category. He pulled through with some humour, but it was not good for those witnessing the fiasco.

Amrika Murtoo was also left standing on stage when she was announced to receive an achievement award but none was presented to her.

The live performances saved the night as Isasha, LA Rose, Chromatic and Surge thrilled the audience. Surge’s dancing and singing to its hit In Your Timing was on point. The group also performed its 2018 song, Security. Other performers included Blaxx, Neval Chatelal, KI, Explainer, Inzey and the Alternative Quartet.

Gospel artiste Vanessa Briggs took home two awards for Best Gospel Performer of the Year (praise) and also for worship.

Young Aaron Duncan also received two awards, for Best Soca Performer of the year and Best Soca Song of the Year.

ACT’s CEO Richard Cornwall said it was extremely difficult to get sponsorship for his idea, but he felt it had to be done this year. He intends to move it through the Caribbean in the future and hopes other sponsors will see the need to get involved in what could be a very good awards event.

Following is the list of awards:

Gospel Performer of the Year (Praise) –Vanessa Briggs
Gospel Performer of the Year (Worship) – Vanessa Briggs
Gospel Band of the Year – Pure Worship
Gospel Producer of the Year –Joshua Kelly aka Kelly On The Beat & Kelly Beatz
Soca Performer of the Year –Aaron Duncan
Soca Producer of the Year –Black Starr Production
Soca Band of the Year –A Team Band
Chutney Soca Performer of the Year – KI
Soca Chutney Band of the Year –BMRZ
Soca Song of the Year –Aaron Duncan (Born Ready)
Soca Chutney Song of the Year – Chana Daye (ClimaxXx & Hitman)
Live Performer of the Year –Michael Sobrian (Showtime)
MC of the Year –J Angel

DJ of the Year – DJ Darian
Sound System of the Year – XiXgon International
Steelband of the Year –Silver Stars
Tassa Group of the Year –Central Riddim Tassa Drummers
Producer of the Year – Lil Vill
Best Instrumentalist of the Year –Johan Chuckaree
Hip-Hop Artiste of the Year –Rael Luvi
Crossover Artiste of the Year – Marq Pierre
Sound Company of the Year –Pro Audio
Lighting & Special Effects Company of the Year – Experience Effects
Mas Band Launch of the Year – Harts
Fete of the Year – Wet & Wild Cooler Fete
Dance Company of the Year – Shiv Shakti Dance Company