August 29th, 2024. Kings Theatre. Flatbush, Brooklyn. — New life sparked on the streets of Flatbush as the famed Kings Theatre opened its prestigious doors for the return of the Caribbean Music Awards in Brooklyn, New York.
August 29th, 2024 marked the Second Annual Celebration of the Caribbean Music Awards since its inception in 2023. Lines wrapped from the entrance of the theatre to the end of Flatbush Avenue with guest in high anticipation to show love to the Caribbean artists begin honored at the ceremony. The flamboyant gathering was hosted by none other than the hilarious West Indian King of Comedy, Majah Hype and the vivacious Queen of Dancehall, Spice.
Streaming LIVE via YouTube, the awards kicked off with a “High Fashion & Elegant” theme on the Red Carpet. Attention grabbing fits were pridefully adorned by Trinidad James, the beautiful Lady London, Marcia Griffiths, Cedella Marley, Alison Hinds, Tosh Alexander, Rajah Wild, Patrice Roberts, DJ Cassidy, Morgan Heritage (rest in love to Peter and Denroy Morgan), Lashley “Motto” Winter, Alicai Harley, Skinny Fabulous, Nailah Blackman, Christopher Martin and more. In its second year, the Caribbean Music Awards successfully unified the Caribbean countries by showcasing the sounds and talents that shape the ‘voice of the Caribbean and the diaspora’ with their extraordinary flare, intense creativity, wide ranges of artistic expression and powerful impact made around the world. Unifying under one umbrella and under one roof as “#OneCaribbean,” The Caribbean Music Awards showcased various sub-genres, highlighting musical styles of Chutney, Soca, Reggae, Kompa, Bouyon, Dancehall, Zouk and so much more.
DJ Kevin Crown ushered in the show with a tropical blend of Soca music and its distinctions in sound throughout the islands. The audience exploded into dancing and partying from their seats as the featured performers, Bajan soca artists Lead Pipe (Osvaldo Reid) and Saddis (Reshawn Ince); Trinidadian soca artist (2024 “Caribbean Music Awards” Chutney Honoree Recipient) Ravi B, Virgin Island-born Soca star Pumpa, Grenda’s Soca collective Lil Natty & Thunda, French Caribbean Dominica’s Asa Bantan and 3x 2024 “Caribbean Music Awards” winner, Skinny Fabulous representing for St. Vincent and the Grenadines took to the stage. Spice and Majah Hype, officially welcomed the audience to the 2024 Caribbean Music Awards with an opening monologue and introduced the first winner of the night, Ras-I, for ‘Best New Artist (Reggae).‘ Spice also presented Sherwin Gardner with the ‘Gospel Award Honor,’ commending his outstanding contributions to Gospel music. Trinidadian Singer, Patrice Roberts, and Jamaican dancehall Artists, Rajah Wild presented Pumpa from the Virgin Islands with the ‘2023 Impact Award’.
Cedella Marley, the Entrepreneurial Reggae cultural icon who seamlessly conquered music and fashion was honored with the ‘Legacy Award’, dedicating it to her late mother, Rita Marley,
“I dedicate this award to my shero, a woman of extraordinary strength, compassion, wisdom, and love. It is her unwavering dedication and selflessness that have led to this moment. I am both proud and humbled to have her [Rita Marley] as my mother. As I pay tribute to the Marley legacy tonight, I celebrate the woman who has laid the foundation. ONE LOVE.”
A crowd favorite performance of the night goes to performance Pressure who received a standing ovation from the audience for his lovers rock anthem “Love and Affection.” Lastly, the most nominated of the night, Dexta Daps performed a massive melody of his most revered songs, including the viral hit “Shabba Madda Pot” and “Call Me If.” Another notable music set of the evening came from artist TeeJay who gave a spectacular choreographed performance of his acclaimed hit singles “Drift” and “From Rags To Riches.”
Additional award presenters included Trinidad James who passed the ‘Artist of the Year (Male Soca)’ award to Skinny Fabulous; Shaggy paid tribute to Reggae royalty Marcia Griffiths, who is celebrating 60 years in music. Martinican-born French rapper and singer Kalash won the award for ‘Artist of The Year (French Caribbean).’ Majah Hype and Machel Montano presented the incomparable Mighty Sparrow with the ‘Calypso Award Honor’, who participated in and led a call and response of an oldie favorite, “Congo Man”. 2023 Caribbean Music Awards Host, 3x Grammy Award winner Wyclef Jean presented the ‘Kompa Award Honor’ to the Haitian compas band that was founded in 1968, Tabou Combo. DJ Cassidy and Melyssa Ford presented the ‘Producer Award Honor’ to Stephen “Di Genius” McGregor, who is best known for producing songs for Sean Paul, Drake, John Legend, Vybz Kartel, John Legend, Shenseea, Jada Kingdom, and more. The award for ‘Collaboration of the Year (Reggae),’ a significant recognition in the industry, was presented by Spragga Benz & Jahmea Bent (Miss Caribbean Los Angeles) and was won by Shaggy and Kes for their exceptional collaboration, “Mood.” Machel Montano shared a heartfelt monologue celebrating the illustrious and barrier-breaking “Queen of Soca,” Alison Hinds, as she accepted the ‘Elite Icon Award.’ A moving tribute performance followed this as Wendi performed “Fuluma,” Faith Callendar performed “Togetherness,” and Nessa Preppy performed “Roll It Gal.”
The Second Annual Caribbean Music Awards was a breath of fresh air and a much needed platform to give praise and recognition to the father genre of music that has influenced many other genres that the world has come to enjoy. This ceremony is vital for generations to become aware of, be exposed to, and hold tight to our tradition of dance, cultural fashion, expressions and the access of therapeutic release through sound and the movement of our bodies. The energy of the music and the spirit the Caribbean holds within it a power to push the heaviness of life away those that are swayed by its drum and melodies.
A complete list of the Winners for the 2024 Caribbean Music Awards is listed below. You can learn more about the Caribbean Music Awards by visiting: CaribMusicAwards.com or follow @CaribMusicAwards and @CaribbeanEliteMagazine via Instagram.
COMPLETE LIST OF WINNERS FOR THE 2024 “CARIBBEAN MUSIC AWARDS”
- 2023 Impact Award (Dancehall)
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- 450
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- 2023 Impact Award (Reggae)
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- Mortimer
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- 2023 Impact Award (Soca)
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- Pumpa
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- Album of the Year (Reggae)
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- Buju Banton Born For Greatness
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- Album of the Year (Dancehall)
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- Masicka Generation of Kings
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- Artist of the Year (Bouyon)
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- Mr. Ridge
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- Artist of the Year (French Caribbean)
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- Kalash
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- Artist of the Year (Latin Caribbean)
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- Romeo Santos
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- Artist of the Year Female (Dancehall)
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- Shenseea
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- Artist Of The Year Female (Reggae)
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- Lila Iké
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- Artist Of The Year Female (Soca)
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- Patrice Roberts
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- Artist of the Year Male (Dancehall)
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- Valiant
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- Artist of the Year Male (Reggae)
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- Romain Virgo
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- Artist of the Year Male (Soca)
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- Skinny Fabulous
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- Best New Artist (Dancehall)
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- Nigy Boy
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- Best New Artist (Reggae)
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- Ras-I
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- Best New Artist (Soca)
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- Yung Bredda
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- Collaboration of the Year – Soca
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- Nailah Blackman & Skinny Fabulous – “Come Home”
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- Collaboration of the Year – Reggae
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- Shaggy & Kes – “Mood”
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- Collaboration of the Year- (Dancehall)
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- Burna Boy & Byron Messia – Talibans II
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- Cruise Event of the Year
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- Uber Soca
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- Entertainer of the Year
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- Lee So Crazy
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- International DJ of the Year
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- DJ Puffy
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- Konpa band of the Year
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- Zafem
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- Music Event of the Year
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- Stink & Dutty
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- People’s Choice (Powered by Spotify’s Frequency)
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- Asa Bantan
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- Performer of the Year (Dancehall)
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- Dexta Daps
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- Performer of the Year (Soca)
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- Mr Killa
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- Song of the Year (Dancehall)
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- Byron Messia – “Talibans”
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- Song of the Year (Soca)
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- Bunji Garlin – “Hard Fete”
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- Video of the Year (Dancehall)
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- Tee Jay – “Drift”
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- Video of the Year (Soca)
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- Nailah Blackman & Skinny Fabulous – “Come Home”
COMPLETE LIST OF HONORS FOR THE 2024 “CARIBBEAN MUSIC AWARDS”
- Lifetime Achievement Award Honor
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- Marcia Griffiths
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- Elite Icon Award Honor
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- Alison Hinds
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- Legacy Award Honor
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- Cedella Marley
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- Artist of the Decade Honor
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- Spice
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- Konpa Award Honor
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- Tabou Combo
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- Producer Award Honor
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- Di Genius
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- Chutney Award Honor
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- Ravi B
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- Gospel Award Honor
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- Sherwin Gardner
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- Calypso Award Honor
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- Mighty Sparrow
