News Americas, BROOKLYN, NY, Sun. Sept. 3, 2023: The inaugural Caribbean Music Awards, sponsored by Frequency Spotify, was presented on Thursday, August 31st, at the Kings Theater in Brooklyn, NY ahead of the annual West Indian Day Parade tomorrow, Sept. 4th.
Among the winners were Trinidad-born rapper Nicki Minaj, who won for collaboration of the year – dancehall/reggae, for “Likkle Miss,” which she recorded with Skeng.
Machel Montano attends the Inaugural Caribbean Music Awards at Kings Theatre on August 31, 2023 in Brooklyn, New York. (Photo by Arturo Holmes/Getty Images)
T&T soca king, Machel Montano, was honored with a lifetime achievement award and secured the title of male artist of the year in the soca category. Meanwhile, Jamaican crooner Beres Hammond was celebrated with the elite icon award and also claimed the male artist of the year title in the reggae category. The event, skillfully hosted by Wyclef Jean, also recognized other double victors, including Kabaka Pyramid, Ding Dong, and Patrice Roberts.
MYA attends the Inaugural Caribbean Music Awards at Kings Theatre on August 31, 2023 in Brooklyn, New York. (Photo by Arturo Holmes/Getty Images)
In a notable moment, reggae legend Buju Banton received a humanitarian award, lauding his philanthropic contributions through the Buju Banton Foundation.
Leon attends the Inaugural Caribbean Music Awards at Kings Theatre on August 31, 2023 in Brooklyn, New York. (Photo by Arturo Holmes/Getty Images) (L-R) Spice and Baby Cham attend the Inaugural Caribbean Music Awards at Kings Theatre on August 31, 2023 in Brooklyn, New York. (Photo by Arturo Holmes/Getty Images)Jada Kingdom attends the Inaugural Caribbean Music Awards at Kings Theatre on August 31, 2023 in Brooklyn, New York. (Photo by Arturo Holmes/Getty Images)Tina, formerly known as Hoodcelebrityy, attends the Inaugural Caribbean Music Awards at Kings Theatre on August 31, 2023 in Brooklyn, New York. (Photo by Arturo Holmes/Getty Images)KES attends the Inaugural Caribbean Music Awards at Kings Theatre on August 31, 2023 in Brooklyn, New York. (Photo by Arturo Holmes/Getty Images) (L-R) Ricardo Drue, Teddyson John, and DJ Young Chow attend the Inaugural Caribbean Music Awards at Kings Theatre on August 31, 2023 in Brooklyn, New York. (Photo by Arturo Holmes/Getty Images)Kranium attends the Inaugural Caribbean Music Awards at Kings Theatre on August 31, 2023 in Brooklyn, New York. (Photo by Arturo Holmes/Getty Images)Lil Vicious attends the Inaugural Caribbean Music Awards at Kings Theatre on August 31, 2023 in Brooklyn, New York. (Photo by Arturo Holmes/Getty Images)(L-R) Wyclef Jean and Claudinette Jean attend the Inaugural Caribbean Music Awards at Kings Theatre on August 31, 2023 in Brooklyn, New York. (Photo by Arturo Holmes/Getty Images)
The event showcased impressive performances by a lineup of artists, including Wayne Wonder, Alison Hinds, Jada Kingdom, Dexta Daps, Kranium, Nailah Blackman, Ding Dong, Rupee, Baby Cham, Toni-Ann Singh, Romain Virgo, Angela Hunte, and Stone Love. It also featured special appearances by Doug E. Fresh, Skeng, MYA, Spice, Morgan Heritage, Konshens, Karlie Redd, and Michael Rainey Jr.
Broadcasted via Tempo Networks, YouTube, and Instagram – @CaribbeanEliteMagazine, the event paid tribute to Caribbean music encompassing various genres such as reggae, dancehall, soca, and zouk.
The list of winners from the inaugural Awards were:
EP of the year (dancehall): Alkaline, The Ripple EFFXImpact award (dancehall): Chronic LawImpact award (reggae): Kabaka PyramidImpact award (soca): Viking Ding DongPerformer of the year (soca): Mr. KillaAlbum of the year (dancehall): Masicka, 438Female artist of the year (dancehall): SpiceMale artist of the year (dancehall): Ding DongMale artist of the year (reggae): Beres HammondMale artist of the year (soca): Machel MontanoFemale artist of the year (soca): Patrice RobertsPeople’s choice award: KesArtist of the decade: Vybz KartelCollaboration of the year (soca): GBM Nutron & DJ Spider, “Down Dey”Collaboration of the year (dancehall/reggae): Skeng & Nicki Minaj, “Likkle Miss”Video of the year (dancehall/reggae): Popcaan & Toni-Anne Singh, “Next to Me”Video of the year (soca): Patrice Roberts, “Mind My Business”Best new artist (dancehall): ValiantBest new artist (reggae): SamoraBest new artist (soca): TempaKompa band of the year: KlassDance song of the year: Ding Dong, “BOUNCE”Performer of the year (dancehall): Dexta DapsAlbum of the year (reggae): Kabaka Pyramid, The KallingLifetime achievement award: Machel MontanoElite icon award: Beres HammondHumanitarian award: Buju Banton // The Buju Baton Foundation
