The 2nd Annual Caribbean Music Awards are set to go down late this summer in Brooklyn, NY, bringing the biggest names in Soca, Reggae, Dancehall, and more to New York City’s hub for Caribbean culture.
The over 150 nominees spread across 40 categories were announced this week, with Dexta Dapsleading with eight nominations,Skinny Fabulousfollowing with six nominations, andMasicka,Yung Bredda,Bounty Killer, andMachel Montanoall tied with five nominations each.
“Flava” artist Shenseea picked up a nomination for Artist of the Year – Female (Dancehall), going up against Spice, Jada Kingdom, Shaneil Muir, Stefflon Don and Tina (Hood Celebrity). Dancehall icon Beenie Man is also up for an award, landing an Album of the Year (Dancehall) nomination for Simma. Other nominees include Popcaan, Baby Cham, Shaggy, Alison Hinds, and several others.
“Carefully chosen through a rigorous selection process, the nominees represent the pinnacle of Caribbean music excellence. From the infectious rhythms of Reggae and Soca to the pulsating beats of Dancehall and beyond, these artists embody the rich tapestry of the Caribbean musical landscape,” reads a statement from the Caribbean Elite Group.
Following the success of last year’s inaugural ceremony — hosted by Wyclef Jean — new categories are set to be introduced, including International DJ, French Caribbean Artist, Latin Caribbean Artist, and Bouyon Artist of the Year, in addition to Chutney, Calypso, and Konpa Honors.
The 2nd Annual Caribbean Music Awards is set for Aug. 29 at Brooklyn’s King’s Theater. Check out the full list of nominees below.
Album of the Year (Reggae)
Buju Banton- Born For Greatness
Collie Buddz – Take It Easy
Marcia Griffiths – Golden
Morgan Heritage – The Homeland
Stephen Marley – Old Soul
Sizzla – The I-Grade
Julian Marley & Antaeus -Colors of Royal
Album of the Year (Dancehall)
Masicka – Generation of Kings
Popcaan- Great Is He
Valiant – 4:14
Beenie Man- Simma
Byron Messia – No Love
Bounty Killer & Baby Cham – Time Bomb
Aidonia- Occupied Mind
Song of the Year (Dancehall)
Tee Jay – Drift
Byron Messia –Talibans
Valiant – Mad Out
450 – Wild n Rich
Rajah Wild – Wild Out
Baby Cham, Bounty Killer & Dexta Daps – Slow Motion
Masicka – Tyrant
Song of the Year (Soca)
Nailah Blackman & Skinny Fabulous – Come Home
Problem Child, Jus Jay King, Nelieux – Holiday
Olatunji – Engine room
Machel Montano & Patrice Roberts – Like Yuh Self
Bunji Garlin – Hard Fete
Nadia Batson- Market
Lyrikal – Look Back
Artist of the Year – Male (Dancehall)
Masicka
Dexta Daps
Valiant
Tee Jay
Popcaan
450
Byron Messia
Artist of the Year – Male (Reggae)
Beres Hammond
Romain Virgo
Tarrus Riley
Christopher Martin
Shaggy
Protoje
Artist of the Year – Male (Soca)
Skinny Fabulous
Problem Child
Asa Banton
Machel Montano
Voice The Artiste
Bunji Garlin
Lyrikal
Artist of the Year (Latin Caribbean)
Lyz Martin
La Pana
Romeo Santos
Gaza Fish
AKIM
El Alfa
Artist of the Year – Female (Dancehall)
Jada Kingdom
Shenseea
Spice
Shaneil Muir
Stefflon Don
Tina (Hood Celebrity)
Artist of the Year – Female (Reggae)
Koffee
Etana
Alaine
Lila Iké
Naomi Cowan
Artist of the Year – Female (Soca)
Patrice Roberts
Nailah Blackman
Nadia Batson
Destra Garcia
Fay-Ann Lyons
Alison Hinds
Nessa Preppy
Artist of the Year (Bouyon)
Asa Bantan
Triple K
Mr Ridge
Nice
Kenny G
Carlyn Xp
Reo
Artist of the Year (French Caribbean)
Kalash
Kassav’
Michael Robinson
Phyllisia Ross
Blaiz Fayah
DJ Chinwax
Bamby
Best New Artist (Dancehall)
Byron Messia
Nigy Boy
Rajah Wild
Stalk Ashley
Kraff
Malie Donn
Best New Artist (Soca)
Yung Bredda
Rae
Rane
Empress J
Star Martin
Faith Callender
Best New Artist (Reggae)
Aiesha
Mortimer
Royal Blu
Blvk H3ro
Ras I
Joby Jay
Kxng Izem
Konpa Band of the Year
T VICE
Klass
KAI
Vayb
Nu Look
Zafem
K-Dilak and Bedjine
Performer of the Year (Dancehall)
Dexta Daps
Tee Jay
Shenseea
Spice
Ding Dong
Masicka
Skeng
Performer of the Year (Soca)
Patrice Roberts
Skinny Fabulous
Asa Bantan
Kes
Problem Child
Machel Montano
Voice The Artiste
Mr Killa
Collaboration of the Year (Soca)
Nailah Blackman & Skinny Fabulous – Come Home
Skinny Fabulous & Mr Killa & Asa Bantan- Do What Yuh Want
Machel Montano & Patrice Roberts- Like Yuh Self
College Boy & YungBredda- JukOn The Junction
Ricardo Dru & Viking Ding Dong- Tornado
Lead Pipe & Just Jay – Brain Freeze
Collaboration of the Year (Reggae)
Shaggy, Kes – Mood
Sean Paul, Beres Hammond- Rebel Time
Alaine, Dexta Daps- Seh It Yah
Morgan Heritage, Baby Cham, Bounty Killer, Stonebwoy-Who Deh Like You
Marlon Asher, Tarrus Riley, Capleton – Diamonds and Gold
Julian Marley & Antaeus – Inna Mood
Collaboration of the Year (Dancehall)
Burna Boy, Byron Messia – Talibans II
The 9ine, Jada Kingdom – TurnMeOn
450, Shaneil Muir – Crawsis
Popcaan, Drake – We Caan Done
Baby Cham, Bounty Killer, Dexta Daps – Slow Motion
Masicka, Lila Iké, Chronic Law – Triumph
Mavado, Jay A, Dexta Daps – Pain
Video of the Year (Reggae/Dancehall)
Tee Jay – Drift
Valiant- Mad Out
Baby Cham, Bounty Killer & Dexta Daps – Slow Motion
Alkaline – Boss
Mavado, Jay-A, Dexta Daps – Pain
DJ Cassidy & Shaggy feat. Rayvon – If You Like Pina Coladas
Video of the Year (Soca)
Nailah Blackman & Skinny Fabulous- Come Home
Problem Child, Jus Jay & Nelieux- Holiday
Nadia Batson- Market
Machel Montano & Patrice – Like Yuh Self
Bunji Garlin – Hard Fete
Lyrikal & Lil Natty & Thunder- The Ambush
Mical Teja – DNA
2023 Impact Award – (Dancehall)
Byron Messia
Rajah Wild
Chronic Law
Jah Vinci
Stalk Ashley
Prince Swanny
Kraff
2023 Impact Award – (Soca)
Yung Bredda
Mical Teja
Pumpa
Terra D Governor
V’ghn
Rae
DJ Cheem
2023 Impact Award – (Reggae)
Naomi Cowan
Mortimer
Jah 9
Samora
Sevana
Jaz Elise
Irie Souljah
People’s Choice Award
Kes
Skinny Fabulous
Patrice Roberts
Asa Banton
Dexta Daps
Shenseea
Yung Bredda
International DJ of the Year
Private Ryan
DJ Puffy
Travis World
DJ Young Chow
DJ Riggo Suave
DJ Kevin Crown
DJ Osocity
DJ Stakz
Entertainer of the Year
Maya Fairy
Julie Mango
Jr Lee So Crazy
Majah Hype
White Yardie
Yung Bredda
Dale Elliott
Music Event of the Year
Brunch and Soca
Dominica World Creole Music Festival
I Love Soca
Soca Brainwash
Stink and Dutty
Reggae Sumfest
St Kitts Music Festival
BRT WKND
Cruise Event of the Year
Uber Soca
Welcome To Jam Rock
Love And Harmony
FeteTopia
Epic
