written by CC Mag
BROOKLYN, NEW YORK — The third annual Caribbean Music Awards took over Brooklyn’s Kings Theatre on Thursday, August 28, 2025, bringing together the biggest names in Caribbean music for a night of vibrant celebration. Presented by Caribbean Elite Group, the ceremony was hosted by comedian Majah Hype and aired on BET on September 12.
For decades, global stages like the MTV VMAs and BET Awards have honored musical icons across pop, hip-hop and beyond. But the Caribbean Music Awards are the first U.S.-based platform created exclusively to spotlight and celebrate Caribbean artists and genres on their own terms — from dancehall and reggae to soca, konpa and bouyon.
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This year’s show saw major wins from Shenseea, Vybz Kartel and Bad Bunny while legendary icons Bounty Killer and Busta Rhymes were honored for their contributions to Caribbean music and culture.
Shenseea nearly swept the night with five wins, including Dancehall Album of the Year for Never Gets Late Here, Song of the Year (Dancehall) and Video of the Year (Reggae/Dancehall) for her smash hit “Hit & Run” with Masicka and Di Genius. Vybz Kartel claimed Artist of the Year — Male (Dancehall), People’s Choice and Music Event of the Year for his Freedom Street concert. Bad Bunny proudly repped the Latin Caribbean, winning Artist of the Year (Latin Caribbean).
The ceremony highlighted the diversity of Caribbean sounds while honoring the pioneers who paved the way. DJ Khaled and Swizz Beatz led a tribute to dancehall giant Bounty Killer, who received the Lifetime Achievement Award, while hip-hop icon Busta Rhymes was presented the Elite Icon Award.
For a full list of categories and winners see below.
Categories and Winners:
Impact Awards:
(Dancehall): Armanii
(Reggae): YG Marley
(Soca): Yung Bredda
Album of the Year:
(Reggae): Romain Virgo, The Gentle Man
(Dancehall): Shenseea, Never Gets Late Here
Artist of the Year:
(Bouyon): Mr. Ridge
(French Caribbean): Joé Dwèt Filé
(Latin Caribbean): Bad Bunny
Female (Dancehall): Shenseea
Female (Reggae): Lila Iké
Female (Soca): Patrice Roberts
Male (Dancehall): Vybz Kartel
Male (Reggae): Romain Virgo
Male (Soca): Kes
Best New Artist:
(Dancehall): Malie Donn
(Reggae): Sevana
(Soca): Blaka Dan
Collaboration of the Year:
(Soca): Trilla G, Lil Boy & Quan “Someone Else”
(Reggae): Bugle, Buju Banton & Damian “Jr Gong” Marley, “Thank You Lord”
(Dancehall): Shenseea, Masicka & Di Genius, “Hit & Run” Cruise Event of the Year: UberSoca
Music Event of the Year:
Vybz Kartel’s Freedom Street
Male International DJ of the Year:
DJ Private Ryan
Female International DJ of the Year:
DJ Ana
People’s Choice:
Vybz Kartel
Performer of the Year:
(Dancehall): Spice
(Soca): Kes
Song of the Year:
(Dancehall): Shenseea, Masicka & Di Genius, “Hit & Run”
(Soca): Mical Teja, “DNA”
(Reggae): Romain Virgo feat. Masicka, “Been There Before”
Video of the Year:
(Reggae/Dancehall): Shenseea, Masicka & Di Genius, “Hit & Run”
(Soca): Patrice Roberts, “Anxiety”
Honorary Awards:
Lifetime Achievement Award: Bounty Killer
Elite Icon Award: Busta Rhymes
Legacy Award: Carimi
Humanitarian Award: Sizzla
Producer Award Honor: Kerwin Du Bois
Gospel Award Honor: Shirley Ann Cyril-Mayers
Calypso Award Honor: Austin “Super Blue” Lyons
The third annual Caribbean Music Awards premiered on BET on September 12 at 8:00pm EST.
