After years of uproar about foreign-based awards, the Marketplace Entertainment Centre for the Arts (MECA) has delivered on its commitment to produce a Jamaican-based entertainment awards show where the nominations and voting would be open to the public.

Voting is open now on the company’s website at www.themecaverse.net [1].

Originally scheduled for August but delayed as the pandemic was still impacting travel schedules, MECA decided to host the awards during Christmas week when Jamaican entertainers are likely to be home. This year’s timing could not be better, as 48 hours before the award ceremony, Sting will make its return.

The MECA Awards should be viewed as a legitimate representation of the industry today as their Marketplace venue in Kingston is perhaps the premier hotspot for Jamaica’s nightlife. A view of their social media pages shows visits from international celebrities like NBA’s Kyle Kuzma and Michael Rainey Jr, whilst Jamaica’s global A-listers like Usain Bolt, Leon Bailey and Raheem Sterling pull up to the VIP area of the nightspot.

Major influencers and entertainers make it the birthday spot of choice, recently highlighted by the pre-wedding events of social media influencer Shanzi and Sandz team promoter Nino. Therefore, the MECA awards should resonate well with the industry and re-ignite the buzz for local entertainment awards before the pandemic.

With categories ranging from Best Cosmetologist, Best Entertainment Food Spot and Best Entertainment TV show to traditional categories of Artistes of the Year, Dancer of the Year and Breakout Celebrity, MECA has stuck to their stated strategy of including all areas of the entertainment industry. Lifetime achievement awards will be presented to Bounty Killer and Beenie Man.

Recently deceased, Aneka ‘Slickianna’ Townsend, who was nominated for Female Influencer of the Year, will be given special recognition by a group of influencers as MECA insists on recognising all sectors which make Jamaican entertainment possible especially coming out of a two-year hiatus.