THE entertainment industry in Barbados and fans turned out in their numbers last week at the Sherbourne Conference Centre for the first-ever Barbados Music Awards put on by Timeless Barbados Entertainment Agency.

The star-studded affair saw Rhianna capturing eight awards, and it was the closest thing to the Grammy’s in Barbados.

Red carpet -- outfits to kill -- and, of course, the glitz and glamour as the cameras rolled.

Indeed, the event was a national music awards show that every Barbadian felt proud of.

On the inside -- it was full house -- as Cassandra Samuel and Wayne Cool Symmonds whipped up the audience setting the stage for several top performances.

In the end, emerging Barbadian superstar Rhianna walked away with eight awards including Best Reggae Single, Best Reggae/Dancehall Album, Best Dance Single, Best Selling Female Artiste of The Year and Entertainer of The Year.

RHIANNA ...
won eight awards.

Shontelle also did well teaming up with Natahlee for the Best Soca Single in Colours and with Billy Kincaid for the Best Hip-Hop Single in Take Me Home.

Rupee was the Best Selling Male Artiste and Male Artiste of The Year.

In the gospel category, Kareen Clarke won Best Gospel Album and Best Gospel Single.

Lifetime Achievement Awards were presented to the Merrymen and Charles D. Lewis, who’ve sold over a million records and have decades of hard work within the local music industry.

The Mighty Gabby received a Living Legend Award for his genius in music and the performing arts.

And Nicholas Brancker, for his efforts in single-handedly revolutionising how Barabdian music is perceived internationally, received the Icon Award.

On a glitzy historic night at Sherbourne, they were all winners.

But the greatest one is the local music industry which will forever be changed in the minds of those who were there.

Prime Minister and Minister of Culture Owen Arthur saw the show in terms of its significance to the development of the nation.