By Tyrone Reid, Staff Reporter
Winners at The Star Entertainment Awards on Tuesday night.- Ian Allen/Staff Photographer
GEORGE NOOKS stole the 2nd Annual Star Entertainment Awards show, which was held at the Roof Garden of The Gleaner Company Limited, 7 North Street, on Tuesday evening.
Mr. Nooks, formerly known as Prince Mohammed, copped four awards; Singer of the Year, Male Artiste of the Year, Song of the Year (God is Standing By) and Artiste of the Year. Mr. Nooks stood high above the competition as he humbly collected his fair due -- although he did not say much, save to give thanks to the relevant sources.
The Best New Artiste award was copped by Warrior King. Group of the Year for 2001 went to TOK and Female Artiste of the Year, to CeCile. Elephant Man, who found top form in 2001, took home the Deejay of the Year crown.
The Most Prolific Artiste of the Year Award went to Capleton, as he had the most songs entering The Star's Top 40 chart in 2001. The Most Prolific Rhythm went to Jeremy Harding's Liquid, as it had seven songs entering The Star's Top 40 Chart, including Elephant Man's hit Log On.
The Stamina Song for 2001 went to Beres Hammond's Rock Away. As the name implies, it rocked away on the charts, as it remained on the charts longer than any other song in the year 2001. Rhythm of the Year went to Mickey Johnson's Zion Gate, which boasted songs such as Virtuous Woman by Warrior King, Run Free by LUST and the title track, Zion Gate by George Nooks. Duet of the Year went to Swade and Tony Rebel for Just Friends and Collaboration of the Year was copped by Still Searching by Junior Gong, Stephen Marley and Yami Bolo.
The Star Special Award went to Shaggy, largely for the success of his Hot Shots album, which sold in excess of ten million copies worldwide, as well as his role as tourism ambassador. The speakers of the night raised many good points about the industry, as well as highlighting the negatives that need to eradicated if Jamaican music is to advance.
The importance ofthe genre was highlighted by The Star's Editor, Claire Clarke-Grant, when she said: "As I said last year I will say again, entertainment feeds many households, schools many children and keeps the economy afloat. The industry is large and our product, reggae/dancehall, is the envy of so many around us."
Mrs. Clarke-Grant also boldly stated that The Gleaner Company Limited would not tolerate payola. "You do not pay to put stories in our papers -- unless it is an advertising feature. We will be fair, fearless and thorough," she said.
The managing director of The Gleaner Company Limited and current president of the Private Sector Organisation of Jamaica (PSOJ), Oliver Clarke, also addressed the audience. In his humourous, yet thought-provoking address, he hailed the entertainment industry as a major income earner. Jokingly, Mr. Clarke referred to some of the popular terms in the dancehall and he said that he was still searching for a definition in the dictionary for 'passa passa' and that he was still in the process of learning the new dance, Log On.
On a more serious note, Mr. Clarke informed and reminded the many entertainment personnel present, of their importance to the overall development of Jamaica. He also charged them to work hand in hand with The Gleaner Company and the PSOJ to make Jamaica a more peaceful place and have the most peaceful election ever.
The night saw many performances from artistes such as Elephant Man, Abijah, Nadine Sutherland, violinist Mark Stephenson, aka Ark, and the man of the night, George Nooks.
