The Caribbean Music Awards serves not simply as a recognition of expertise however as an affirmation of cultural identification. For the Caribbean diaspora unfold the world over, music serves as a tether to our roots. This award ceremony amplifies that connection and creates an area for Caribbean artists to shine, share their tales, and additional the worldwide appreciation of their numerous music varieties. The occasion, past its symbolic significance, was additionally a vibrant showcase of some notable expertise.
So, because the curtains fell on this inaugural occasion, it was clear from the Red Carpet that this wasn’t simply one other award present. It marked a pivotal second, an acknowledgment of the Caribbean’s wealthy musical heritage, and an announcement of its rising affect on the world stage.
Hosted by Grammy-winning Haitian rapper Wyclef Jean, and held at King’s Theater in Flatbush, Brooklyn, New York, it absolutely gave out a vibrant, energetic, and vigorous present, celebrating music, individuals, and tradition from the Caribbean.
Wyclef Jean, well-known for being the founding member, co-producer, and guitarist of the New Jersey hip hop trio The Fugees together with Lauryn Hill, notoriously his romantic accomplice within the late nineties, and Pras Michel, made an announcement on the Inaugural Caribbean Music Awards that talks to the guts of each Caribbean individuals.
He stated “I’ve been to the Grammys, MTV Awards, all kinds of awards around the world. This is the only award show I feel so comfortable, I can wear my bloodclxxxt sandals” and once more “Tonight is a very, very important night as we celebrate the Caribbean region. Tonight is history. They steal our culture, and they change the name of it. They call it ‘pop’, they flip our food around and adjust it. Tonight, we’re taking everything back to the Caribbean.”
Undoubtedly, those that heard this speech felt an instantaneous connection to the present, brimming with enthusiasm and swelling with delight for his or her Caribbean heritage!
With performances from a few of our favourite artists, surprises, and real tributes, the Caribbean Music Awards, produced by the Caribbean Elite Group (CEG), publishers of “Caribbean Elite Magazine”, was a present of Caribbean unity.
Truth be instructed, we all know you may’t please everybody, and particularly Caribbean individuals could be exhausting to please typically. So, it doesn’t come as a shock that the occasion has been instantly criticized for not together with extra Caribbean musical genres.
As the pioneering occasion of its form, we will perceive that maturity takes time and errors are inevitable. While we acknowledge the various musical tastes throughout the Caribbean neighborhood, it’s pure that not each expectation shall be met initially. Wyclef Jean assures us that the imaginative and prescient for the occasion encompasses broadening the musical genres every year, steadily celebrating the wealthy tapestry of Caribbean sounds.
The Caribbean Music Awards was wealthy in performances from many artists, together with Alison Hinds, Dexta Daps, Ding Dong, Toni-Anne Sing, Romain Virgo, Wayne Wonder, and Kranium. Among the a number of presenters, we noticed Crissy, Kabaka Pyramid, Morgan Heritage, Spice, Konshens, and Kerwin Dubois.
The occasion opened with an brisk efficiency by Karnival Bounce Crew, together with Mya, Maiah Hope, DJs Jabba, and Bobby Konders, setting the bar fairly excessive for the remainder of the evening.
And now, let’s dive into the checklist of the assorted contestants and eventual nominees for every class, protecting in thoughts that each one award recipients have been elected by followers, who have been invited to vote for his or her favourite artist, album, music, and music movies on-line, weeks earlier than the occasion.
Kompa, the Haitian music style and social accomplice dance that’s getting increasingly fashionable worldwide was acknowledged throughout the occasion on two separate events: as soon as, with the award of Best Kompa Band class, gained by the band Klass, after which once more with a posthumous honor to the late Haitian singer, songwriter, and report producer Mikaben, who died in October final yr.
Honorees and Special Guests included King of Soca Machel Montano, who obtained a Lifetime Achievement Award, reggae legend Beres Hammond, who obtained an Elite Icon Award, public determine Juliann Carter, higher referred to as Crissy, Social Media Personality honoree, Trinidadian singer David Rudder, who was awarded Calypso Honors, and Majah Hype, awarded the title of Elite Entertainer of the Year.
For the Soca Video of the Year, contestants have been Patrice Roberts with Mind My Business, Nailah Blackman and Mical Teja with Dingolay, Kes and Dwala with Jolene, Nesa Preppy and DJ Private Ryan with Nasty Flow, and Nadia Batson with Jelly. The award went to Patrice Roberts, with Mind My Business.
For the Collaboration of the Year within the Reggae/Dancehall area, the selection was between Skeng ft Nicki Minaj with Little Miss, Masicka ft Steflon Don with Moments, Popcaan ft Imeru Tafari with Elevate, Sean Paul ft Gewn Stafani and Shenseea with Light My Fire, Skeng ft Stalk Ashlet with Talibhan, Protoje ft Joria Smith with Ten Cane Row, and Baby Charm ft Bounty Killer with Blood Clxxt. Predictably, the winner was Skeng ft Nicki Minaj with their Little Miss.
For the Soca Collaboration of the Year, the candidates included Patrice Roberts and Ricardo Dru with Toxi, Skinny Fabulous and Problem Child with Danger, Nailah Blackman and Mical Teja with Dingolay, however the award went to GMB Nutron and DJ Spider with Down Dey.
Vybz Kartel was nominated Artist of the Decade abandoning different contestants Machel Montano, Kes The Band, Movado, and Bounty Killer.
Mr. Killa was nominated Soca Performer of the Year, beating Machel Montano, DJ Cheem, Voice the Artiste, and Kes, whereas Dexta Daps was awarded the Dancehall Performer of the Year nomination, beating Spice, Ding Dong, Shenseea, Elephant Man, and Baby Cham.
No one however Queen Spice was the winner of the Dancehall Female Artist of the Year title, abandoning Jada Kingdom, Shenseea, Stefflon Don, and extra. And after all, Patrice Roberts was nominated Soca Female Artist of the Year, successful the title that Nailah Blackman, Fay-Ann Lyons, Alison Hinds have been competing for.
The Soca Male Artist of the Year award went to Machel Montano.
The Reggae Male Artist of the Year to Beres Hammond, and the Dancehall Male Artist of the Year went to Ding Dong.
Runners for the title of Dancehall Album of the Year have been Masicka with 438, Spice with Emancipated, Skeng with Best of the Era, Vybz Kartel with True Religion, Kranium with In Too Deep, and Sean Paul with Scorcha. Masicka was nominated for his album 438.
For Reggae / Dancehall Video of the Year, contestants have been Ding Dong along with his Bounce, Masicka with History, Jashii with Born Fighter, Popcaan ft Toni-Ann Singh with Next to Me, and Shenseea with Dolly. The energy couple Popcaan & Toni-Anne Singh unsurprisingly introduced the title house.
Ding Dong and his Bounce have been awarded Dance Song of the Year (Combined Genres) defeating La lee with Leggo Di Bird, Squash 2022 with Foot, Elephant with Touch Your Head, DJ Chem with Bing Bong, and Suhrawh ft Chow Minister with In The Water.
In the run for Best New Artist for the Dancehall class, Valiant gained towards Kraff, Armanii, Bayka and Stalk Ashley, whereas the title of Best New Artist for the Soca style went to Tempa, who gained towards Melly Rose, Anika Berry, Shireen, Leonce and Faith Calendar. The title of Best New Artist for Reggae, as an alternative, went to Samora.
The Impact award for dancehall was given to Chronic Law, whereas the Impact award for reggae went to Kabaka Pyramid, the winner additionally of the Reggae Album of the Year along with his The Kalling.
Kes gained the People’s Choice award, whereas reggae legend Buju Banton was awarded the Humanitarian Award for his philanthropic basis, the Buju Banton Foundation.
One of the present’s most memorable moments noticed performances of youthful Caribbean artists paying tribute to Beres Hammond, recipient of the Elite Icon Award, and in addition honored by the New York City Council for his contributions to the Caribbean neighborhood. His most well-known hits, together with Double Trouble, I Feel Good, Standing in My Way, and Sweet Lies, have been carried out by Romain Virgo, Toni-Ann Singh, Dexta Daps, and Kranium. The latter expressed his respect and love for the reggae legend saying “It was a great feeling to perform and actually doing a tribute to him was one of the most amazing feelings. We grew up listening to Beres and I’m happy I get a chance to be in the music industry and actually meet him and do a tribute to him. That was a highlight for me.”
The first Caribbean Music Awards wasn’t simply a night of accolades. It was a declaration, a promise, and a celebration all rolled into one. As the solar units on this landmark occasion, one can solely hope that the horizon holds larger, brighter, and much more melodious days for Caribbean music. To each Caribbean soul watching this: that is our rhythm, our story. Let’s assist and amplify it for the world to listen to.
From vibrant beats to soulful melodies, from heartfelt tributes to groundbreaking performances, we’ve journeyed by means of an evening that wasn’t nearly awards, however in regards to the coronary heart and soul of the Caribbean. As the curtains shut on this historic inaugural Caribbean Music Awards, we’re reminded of the facility of our unity, the power of our heritage, and the boundless prospects of our future.
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Thank you for becoming a member of us, celebrating with us, and feeling the rhythm of the Caribbean with us. Until subsequent yr, maintain the music alive, and let’s proceed to shine our mild on the world stage.
