Published On:Wednesday, September 01, 2010

Nassau, Bahamas

Gospel reggae and dancehall sensation Monty G has made history by becoming the first Bahamian to ever be nominated for a whopping 20 Marlin Awards. Being nominated for this many awards at one time is very rare in Marlin history and only one other artist has scored higher.

Trinidad & Tobago gospel Soca artist Sherwin Gardner holds the overall record with 22 nominations that he earned during the 2004 Marlin Awards season. This is the second time in a row that Monty has captured the top spot; he was nominated for 13 Marlin Awards in 2008.

Among his many nominations, Monty along with his sonic partner DJ Frost once again scored a nomination for Producer of the Year for their production work on a number of top releases including their Mixtape compilation series "Streetlight Mixtape Vol 4", Mr Lynx latest project "Seeds You Sow" and "Never Let Go", the debut album by Trinidad & Tobago newcomer Positive.

Monty and Frost won the Producer of the Year award in 2009. As a featured artist, Monty appeared on a wide range of nominated releases this year including the single "Protestors" which was nominated for International Recording of the Year with Christafari and the gospelreggae.com All-Stars as well as Music Video of the Year Duo/Group for the single "Goodness of Jesus" with Lynette White, Yankee B and dancehall artist Shelly Thunder.

Trailing Monty is Bahamian hip/hop artist Najie Dunn with nine nominations including nods for New Artist of the Year, Hip/Hop Recording of the Year and Reggae Hip/Hop Recording of the Year (Hype Music) for his super smash "Wan Take Life" that features Monty G and reggae artist Junior Reid.

Earning eight nominations is former Miss Bahamas (1992) Richa Sands who earned nominations for Junkanoo Rake and Scrape Vocal Performance of the Year for her single "Revival in my Soul" and Reggae Vocal Performance of the Year-Female "Marching to Zion." Bahamian Choir Shaback scored a total of seven nominations, their highest to date including nominations for Choir/Chorale of the Year, Junkanoo Recording of the Year "We Praise" and one for Song of the Year for their national hit single "Double Doors." Three artists each received six nominations including father and son outfit Tracy Tracy, hip-hop artist Mr Beeds and local reggae sensation Ricardo Clarke whose nominations include New Artist of the Year, Reggae Recording of the Year and Song of The Year "Not Settling."

Earning five nominations are Double Syx, Minister Charles Drake and CMA, Mr Lynx and Freeport Grand Bahama offspring Simeon Outten whose nominations include Junkanoo Recording of the Year for his mother's day anthem "Thank God for Mama" featuring Bahamian artist Avvy Mortimer. Simeon has also made history with his album "Redeemed" becoming the first Rake and Scrape gospel album to be nominated for the prestigious Album of the Year award since the awards became fully integrated with all Caribbean countries in the year 2000.

The 2010 Marlin Awards will be held on Saturday October 30 as the final event of Marlin Weekend 2010 which is slated to run from Thursday October 28- Saturday October 30. The weekend of events will include the hosting of Marlin Summit, Marlin Industry Workshops and Luncheon, Marlin Fest and the Marlin Awards. All events will be held in Nassau, Bahamas.

There are more than 200 artists and other industry professionals participating in the Marlin Awards this year representing 15 countries including Africa, Bahamas, Bermuda, Canada, Guyana, Jamaica, Tortola BVI, Trinidad and Tobago, St Croix, St Kitts, St Lucia, St Maarten, St Thomas, and The United States which for the first time will include the state of Hawaii. For additional information contact Harris Media Group at 242-676-6719 or email marlinawards@gmail.com or interested persons can log onto the official website at www.marlinawards.com.