By GERMAINE SMITH, Staff ReporterVYBZ KARTEL IS more confident of his Source award nomination than he was of his MOBO nomination, which was withdrawn recently.
Shortly after news broke that he was nominated for a Source award last week, Kartel told THE STAR that he is confident that these nominations will stay, despite the passionate protests from gay rights campaigners in both England and the United States.
These campaigners are against the inclusion of Kartel, Beenie Man, TOK, Sizzla and Elephant Man in the 'Reggae/Dancehall Artiste Of The Year' category.
"The laws in America are different from in England where the MOBOs are," Kartel explained. "So this nomination will stick and stay for me."
Kartel noted that being nominated in England, and being nominated in the United States for musical awards are signs that his career is on the right path.
"These are an honour. To know that Vybz Kartel can be in the same category as certain artistes is a accomplished feeling. To know thet they accept me with no international music video and from an English record label, it means mi a go somewhere," he continued.
Bigger picture
Concerning the withdrawal of his nomination, he tied it in with the bigger picture of dancehall music being affected.
"Every time the music is achieving something and it goes on top they try to cut it down. I feel their movements are heterophobic. They are trying to control us."
He would not dwell on the topic however, but reinforced his joy at being given a Source award nomination.
"Just being nominated is an honour for me. Look at Beenie who is on BET from in the 90s, Ele has his videos there for quite a while now, and look pon me being in the same category of nominations, it is an honour."
The award ceremony will be held in Miami, Florida on October 10, and will be aired on the BET network.
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