African Nova Scotian Music Association reveals nominees for 2015

Gary Beals, Cyndi Cain and Jordan Croucher are among the artists performing at the African Nova Scotia Music Association awards this year.

The association announced the lineup this week. It also announcedthe theme of this year's event:Celebration of Our Own, honouring past and present musicians from the black community in Nova Scotia.

The award show, held March 7at the World Trade and Convention Centre, will feature performances by Gary Beals, Jeremiah Sparks, Cyndi Cain, Ced, Marty & Dave,The Sanctified Brothers, Renny Smith and Uniacke Square native, Jordan Croucher(aka JRDN), who earlier this month received a Juno nomination in the R&B category.

R&B singer Samm Splash was nominated this year for rising star/group of the year.

'You really feel the love'

She won the award last year. Splash says this year's nomination is another stepping stone to getting recognized in one of the bigger categories.

"I'm one step closer to the next one, which would be artist of the year,"she said.

Splash feels that the awards are of big importance to musicians in Nova Scotia's black community.

"The music scene in Halifax is great, it's very supportive. Butit's great to have an organization like ANSMA where it focuses on black artists with our own place to shine.

"It feels good to be surrounded by the people and you really feel the love."

Veteran Halifax rapper Jason Bruce, also know as J Bru, is nominated for artist/group of the year.

Bruce says black artists are often poorly represented in Nova Scotia.

"It doesn't matter what organization you look at, I think we need to be better represented. Our focus and our attention should be heightened."

Bruce believes the award show is one way to organize and unite the community.

"I've been to a bunch of different award shows and it has a different feel, a united feel. Being a black artist and being in a room full of like-minded peopleit's a good feeling."

The awards show will also honour MauriceRuddickand Nova Scotia Country Music Hall of Fame inductee Brent Williams, who will both receive the life-time achievement award .

Ruddick was one of the only survivors of the 1958 Springhill Mining Disaster.