Thursday, August 28th, 2025. Kings Theatre, Brooklyn, New York.— The 3rd Annual Caribbean Music Awards, 2025, was held on Thursday, August 28, 2025, at the Kings Theatre in New York, hosted by the one and only Mahjah Hype.
Sound Clashes trace their roots to 1950’s Jamaica where crews and soundsystems competed against each other, song for song. Exclusive records known as ‘dubplates’ involving the original ‘dubbing’ or remixing its lyrics exclusively for a crew to play in battle against another. The more exclusive the song, the better.
In 2010, Red Bull adapted the traditional concept, birthing their own version: Culture Clash. Various crews unite to battle each other, amplifying diverse genres like Trap, Hip-Hop, Dancehall, Afrobeats, and more. The event has since hit cities worldwide, from London to San Francisco and Miami.
The global experience first made its way to Atlanta in 2017, where hitmakers like Mike WiLL Made-It, WondaGurl and British rapper Tinie Tempah took over 787 Windsor in Downtown Atlanta and shut down their respective stages. Despite Dancehall artist Popcaan’s absence, Team Unruly took home the win.
This year, though, Jamaica managed to redeem themselves as the rightful owners of sound clashes with Rum Punch Brunch, led by the legendary Dancehall & Reggae Deejay Tony Matterhorn and Willy Chin taking home the trophy after battling Bamba Tuesdays, Mashup Sessions and Perreo404.
Bamba Tuesdays and Rum Punch Brunch are two of the biggest parties in Atlanta solely dedicated to the expansive Afro-Caribbean community.
DJ Kash and friends take over Rock Steady for Bamba Tuesdays every Tuesday night for a lively weeknight out, while Rum Punch Brunch at Believe Music Hall, led by André Ruddock (Dreggae), Allan “Boom” Williams, and Karl Injex, turns Sundays into a fun day.
Prior to the inception of parties like Bamba Tuesdays and Rum Punch Brunch, opportunities for the city’s African and Caribbean communities to come together for unfiltered fun and authentic vibes were scarce. These parties have significantly transformed the Afro-Caribbean party culture in Atlanta for the better, providing a space for people to dance and celebrate various genres and artists, and honor cultural influences collectively.
On the opposite side of the arena stood Mashup Sessions, a renowned event series helmed by DJ Unruely and Canterbury Talez, and Perreo 404, Atlanta’s top Latin party destination featuring DJ EU and Nino Augustine. As far as I knew it, both of these crews were the “underdogs” of the night, especially when compared to the larger crowd supporting Rum Punch Brunch and Bamba Tuesdays.
Perreo 404. Credit: Brian Hall / Red Bull Content Pool
After a high energy performance from Atlanta’s own Crime Mob and a few words from the night’s hosts’ Jessie Woo and Paige Shari, a warm-up round was enacted for each team to go over the rules. The rules, in question, were pretty simple: Four rounds, 8 minutes per crew each round, no repeats and the team with the loudest applause wins.
However, with alcohol and Red Bull flowing through every attendee’s veins, strict enforcement of these rules seemed unlikely. Despite the rule that once a crew plays a song, it cannot be repeated by another crew, this was completely disregarded throughout the battle.
By the second round, both Bamba Tuesdays and Rum Punch Brunch played the popular southern anthem “Swag Surf” by F.L.Y. Except, Bamba Tuesdays took it a step further by bringing out F.L.Y. to perform it live. Judging by the explosive crowd reaction, it was obvious that Bamba had that round in the bag.
Despite the murky rules, each crew did a great job at capturing the essence of what a sound clash really is.
The nostalgia continued into round three, where Perreo 404 quickly showed their ability to compete with the big dogs when Roscoe Dash made a surprise appearance performing his 2010 hits “No Hands” and “Show Out”.
Mashup Sessions. Credit: Brian Hall / Red Bull Content Pool
Mashup Sessions brought out Young Nudy for a lively performance of “Peaches and Eggplants” during round three. Round one and three seemed to have the best energy that night. Or so I thought.
As the last round approached, tensions were high. The not-so light banter exchanged between Mashup Sessions and Rum Punch Brunch had elevated the intensity. In this case, trash talk was acceptable, particularly when delivered in the form of a dubplate.
But the trash talk didn’t hinder Rum Punch Brunch in the end. with a performance by Dancehall artists Vanessa Bling, recognized for her early work with Vybz Kartel. Serani and Aidonia. Teejay also came out and stole the show with a performance of his viral hit “Drift.”
The deserving winner of the trophy that night is open to debate. Naturally, people will claim that their favorite crew should have won. What’s undeniable, however, is that each of these crews has left an undeniable mark on Atlanta’s history.
Angela Yee opens up the ceremony for her ‘5th Annual – Angela Yee Day, 2023’ at Barclay’s Center, Brooklyn, New York
Barclay’s Center, Brooklyn, New York.— On Sunday, August 27th, 2023, Award-winning media personality and Host of Power 105.1’s, ‘Way Up With Angela Yee’ , Angela Yee, partnered with iHeartMedia and The Social Justice Fund to host the ‘5th Annual Angela Yee Day, 2023’ celebration and community giveback at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York.
Gregg Bishop, Executive Director of the Social Justice Fund, stands along side Angela Yee in support of the community outreach and building initiative for Angela Yee Day, 2023
In 2018, then Mayor of New York City, Bill de Blasio declared August 28th to be known as “Angela Yee Day”, a day that commemorates and celebrates Yee’s Caribbean background and honors her Brooklyn roots. For half a decade, the East Flatbush native, Yee, has been an active participant, unyielding in her dedication to provide the community with essential resources that include, but are not limited to, information for educational support, access to organizations and spaces that promote higher learning and that assist students with their learning development through tutoring and mentorship. the event has attracted vendors that aid in developmental tools and that encourage students to broaden their academic goals, horizons and support systems. This annual event has also introduced the community to avenues that combat food insecurity and shortage, an aggressive problem plaguing the borough of Brooklyn, who was listed as the second highest rate for food insecurity in New York City based on the NYC Mayor’s Office of Food Policy annual 2022 report (Food Metrics Annual Report). The event also encourages the youth and their caretakers to prioritize financial literacy by assisting them to uncover their financial planning goals, aid them in research and gaining access to grants, scholarships and additional resources that will fund their long term education goals.
Angela Yee and iHeart Media have successfully upheld the community focus on garnering holistic wellness, along with finding creative ways to integrate West Indian culture through song and dance, a significant part of Caribbean celebrations. “I am honored to continue to bring this free community event to Brooklyn every Summer,” says Angela. “We look for ways to give back to the community and the youth while having a great time!”
The ‘event’ as Yee humbly states, is an impactful philanthropic offering to the city at best. The five hour community giveback was held on the outdoor arena of Barclay’s stadium entrance court. Hundreds gathered and kept their focus on the center stage where giveaways were provided to school aged children from K – 12th grade. Over 200 students received school supplies, including book bags and totes courtesy of The Lelievre Foundation. Barbers offered free hair cuts for the community and free hair braiding was available from the amazing stylists at Destiny Braiders and a giveaway from Jaj’s African Hair Braiding – Broadway.
American Rapper, Scarlip, poses for the camera at the ‘5th Annual Angela Yee Day, 2023’ community event at Barclays Center, Brooklyn, New York
Angela Yee poses with the youth for the ‘5th Annual Angela Yee Day’ at Barclay’s Center, Brooklyn, New York
Angela Yee Day also highlights and honors cultural traditions through live music and performances that give breath to Caribbean culture. Being held a week before New York City’s Annual Labor Day Parade (held Sunday, September 3rd, on Eastern Parkway, Brooklyn, New York); Yee instinctively felt imperative to showcase performances from artists that represented Caribbean culture. World renown Reggae, Dancehall, Soca and Afro-beats Artists have been known, since its inception in 20 18, to come and show support for this annual event. Past performers have included Bunji Garlin, Christopher Martin, Alison Hinds, Naomi Cowan and many more. The 2023 artist line up included performances from Macka Diamond, Ricky Blaze, Sheem Kulaj, London Hill, Young Devyn, Chinese Kitty, Home and Abroad, Ricky Blaze, GBM Nutron, Ayo Jay, and emerging Rap Starlit, Scar Lip.
Non-Profit Organization, I Will Graduate, performing community outreach for the youth in attendance to Angela Yee Day
Prior to taking to the stage, Dancehall Royalty, Kranium spoke with The Knockturnal to express how vital it was for him to show his support to the community of Brooklyn, “As far knowledge is concerned, in the Caribbean, we find good education to be important and as influential as soca music, [they are both] part of our lives in the Caribbean and [here] in Brooklyn, so its only right to come through and show love, and support for the community. So yes, I came to spread the love, and [I came to] spread dancehall [music].”
Kranium will be releasing his new single, “Vibes Weekend (Remix)” on September 1st featuring alongside artist, Rotimi.
Local talents also blazed the stage, the Chelsea Piers Dance Class performed live. To accompany the run of show, notable DJ’s that covered the live sets included DJ Nick Seale, DJ Danglez, DJ Suave, DJ Norie and Barbadian born Soca Artist, DJ Cheem who had this to say of his participation for Angela Yee Day, 2023, “I typically support Angela [Yee, as a DJ], day to day [but] I sang today. It always feels good supporting children and the next generation coming up. I also feel good spreading Soca music and Caribbean music worldwide, because there are people who may not know about it, or may not be familiar with Soca Music.”
Brooklyn Rapper, MAINO makes a special guest appearance at the ‘5th Annual Angela Yee Day, 2023’ event
DJ CHEEM performs live for the ‘5th Annual Angela Yee Day, 2023’ community event at Barclays Center, Brooklyn, New York
When asked to share what advice he would offer the children before heading back to school, he added, “Stay focused. Stay in School and Follow Your Dreams…and stay offline ” he laughs and melodically adds, “…social media will corrupt your mind.” DJ Cheem recently released his new single, ‘Doggie’ with Yung Bredda.
Billboard Music and Grammy Award Winning Singer-Songwriter, H.E.R makes a special guest appearance at the ‘5th Annual Angela Yee Day, 2023’ event
Special guest appearances included performances from Brooklyn Rapper-Songwriter, Maino and a surprise visit from the the brilliantly gifted Billboard Music and Grammy Award Winning Singer-Songwriter, H.E.R who spread her good energy and support for Angela Yee, iHeart Media, the Angela Yee Day, 2023 event and the showcased artists who performed live.
Notable Vendors that sponsored “Angela Yee Day, 2023” included the U.S. Army, the education focused non-profit organization, ‘I Will Graduate’, Maxsip Telecom, the Social Justice Fund, Black Maternal Health Partners, Brooklyn Perinatal Network Inc, Caribbean Women’s Health Association, Haven Midwifery Collective, iHeartMedia, and Irth App: Irth is a project of Narrative Nation.
Demarco recently released his album called ‘Melody” on October 22nd.
Kranium released an acoustic version of his song “Nobody has to Know.”