CaribWorldNews, NEW YORK, NY, Tues. May 6, 2008: Trinidad & Tobago-born, UK raised singer, Billy Ocean, was Sunday night inducted into the International Reggae & World Music Awards Hall Of Fame.

The singer, whose real name is Leslie Sebastian Charles, was honored for his lengthy years of service to the music industry at the Apollo Theater by organizers of the annual event,  Martin's International & Associates, LLC.  Ocean had a string of rhythm and blues-tinged international pop hits in the 1970s and 1980s and last returned to the touring circuit after an absence of 15 years, performing in January at the Air Jamaica Jazz & Blues Festival in Montego Bay, Jamaica. He released his new album, `Wilberforce 200` and the single, `Chained` last month.

Meanwhile, scoa`s Machel Montano topped this year’s award ceremony, winning all three categories in which he was nominated. Montano walked away with the Entertainer of the Year award, the Best Calypso/Soca Entertainer and the Most Outstanding Stage Personality.

Reggae`s Beenie Man, Sean Kingston, Stephen Marley and Taurus Riley each snagged two awards at this year’s 27th annual event. Beenie was named Recording Artist of the Year and Best Male D.J./Rapper while Riley won the Best Male Vocalist and Best Song for `She Is Royal.`

Best Crossover Song award was given to Sean Kingston, who also won Best New Entertainer award. The Best CD honor went to Stephen Marley. Marley also snagged the Songwriter of the Year title.

The female artist title went to newcomer Etana while the Best Reggaeton Entertainer was Don Omar. The Best African Entertainer award was given to the late Lucky Dube while the Best Hip Hop/R&B Entertainer awardee was Rihanna.

The Best Music Video title was given to Shaggy for `Church Heathen,` while Buju Banton won the award for Most Educational Entertainer.

The Best Poet award went to Mutabaruka while the Most Outstanding Show Band title was given to Morgan Heritage. Freddie McGregor won the Most Consistent Entertainer award while Ky-Mani Marley grabbed bragging rights for Most Promising Entertainer.

Junior Reid was named Most Improved Entertainer while the Best Instrumentalist award of the year went to Dean Fraser.