Cast Your Votes Now in the Black Excellence Middle East Awards
Kudos to our pal DJ Jas. Head DJ at Bla Bla Dubai, Jas is up for Best DJ in the inaugural Black Excellence Middle East Awards. The awards showcase “Black excellence in the region and shed light on the achievements of the Black community”.
As well as building her reputation in the UAE, DJ Jas’s international career has accelerated at high speed in recent years. Jas has chalked up gigs in Nigeria, Kazakhstan, Tokyo and Saudi Arabia. “It’s an honour to represent my Jamaican heritage,” said Jas. “I’m up against a couple of amazing DJs but I want to win!”
Good Company
DJ Jas is in good company. Other nominees in the Best DJ category include DJ King Koopa, Sir Lennox, DJ Nicki Nicol, 1takennandos and several more. There are four nominees in the Best Musician category, including singer-songwriter MKO. Nominated alongside Leanne ‘Kai’ Brackett, Jones the Ikom Boy and Arqam, MKO unleashed his Afropop album Diverse in 2019.
“It’s great to see the Black Excellence Awards taking place in the UAE,” said Jas. “It’s about time we celebrated Black culture.”
Making Waves
The Black Excellence Middle East Awards also recognise people making waves in entrepreneurship, fashion, media, photography and more. There are 17 categories all together. Cast your votes here. Voting closes on Thursday 27th May.
Winners will be revealed during a special gala dinner in Dubai, on Friday 4th June. Billed as “a night of camaraderie and conversations of successes, insights and new connections”, MKO will perform at the event.
Co-founder and Managing Director at Dukkan Media, Omar Tom will deliver a guest address at the gala dinner. His marketing and consultancy firm connects businesses with Middle Eastern culture and communities. Tom has developed award-winning campaigns for brands like Nike, Dubai Sports Council, Google, YouTube, Red Bull, Converse and Arabian Radio Network.
Breaking Stereotypes
Founder of Emirates Music Summit and AudioSwim Music Distribution, Albert Carter is also backing the awards. “The Black Excellence Gala and Awards are much needed to recognise the continuous achievements of the Black diaspora in the Middle East,” said Carter. “With the diaspora continuing to grow in the UAE and beyond, it’s important to celebrate the individuals and companies committed to breaking stereotypes and expanding their scope of influence on the world. I’m looking forward to seeing our people get the recognition we deserve.”
Get the full lowdown on the Black Excellence Middle East Awards here.
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