Shenseea, Vybz Kartel earn Caribbean Music Awards nominations
The Caribbean Music Awards is officially on the horizon—and it’s already shaping up to be one of the year’s most highly anticipated global music events. Set to take place on Thursday, August 28, 2025, at the legendary Kings Theatrein Brooklyn, New York, this annual celebration of Caribbean excellence promises to be more exciting, inclusive, and culture-defining than ever before.
Presented by Caribbean Elite Group, the third edition of the event will spotlight more than just music. It will celebrate Caribbean identity, the region’s cultural richness, and the artists who continue to redefine Caribbean music on the global stage.
A Cultural Milestone in the Heart of New York
From its beginning, the Caribbean Music Awards has positioned itself as more than just a show—it’s a movement. Now entering its third year, the event is fast becoming a premier platform for Caribbean musicians, producers, DJs, and creators to be seen, heard, and celebrated.
Set against the vibrant cultural backdrop of Brooklyn—a borough known for its Caribbean diaspora—the awards provide a global stage for the music that pulses through island life and beyond. It’s a tribute to a genre ecosystem that includes Dancehall, Soca, Reggae, Kompa, Chutney, Gospel, and Caribbean Fusion, showcasing how diverse, dynamic, and unifying these sounds truly are.
Over 150 Nominees, 40+ Categories: A Powerhouse Lineup
This year’s ceremony will feature over 150 nominees spread across more than 40 categories, making the 2025 edition the biggest yet. The nomination list reads like a who’s who of contemporary Caribbean music.
Leading the nominations:
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Masicka (7 nominations)
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Shenseea (7 nominations)
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Patrice Roberts (6 nominations)
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Kes (6 nominations)
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Vybz Kartel, Nailah Blackman, Chronic Law, and Kranium (5 nominations each)
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Bunji Garlin, Romain Virgo, and Lila Iké (4 nominations each)
These artists are not just dominating airwaves in the Caribbean—they are reaching audiences worldwide through streaming platforms, international tours, and genre-bending collaborations.
Voting Now Open: Fans Take the Wheel
In true democratic style, the Caribbean Music Awards 2025 is putting the power in the hands of the people. Voting officially opened on April 9 and runs through May 31, 2025. Fans can head to CaribMusicAwards.com to vote for their favorite artists.
This interactive voting system has become a signature element of the awards, giving fans across the globe—from Kingston to Toronto to London and Lagos—a chance to celebrate and support their favorites in the Caribbean music space.
Expanding the Genre: 7 New Categories in 2025
To reflect the continued growth and fusion of Caribbean music, this year’s awards will debut seven brand-new categories. These additions not only increase representation but also speak to how the genres are evolving in exciting ways:
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Reggae – Collaboration of the Year
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Reggae Song of the Year
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Female – International DJ of the Year
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Caribbean Fusion Song of the Year
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Caribbean R&B Artist of the Year
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Zess-Steam Artist of the Year
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Gospel Song of the Year
These new awards open the door for more voices to be recognized—from global DJs spinning Dancehall in European clubs, to gospel artists whose lyrics uplift Caribbean communities around the world.
Caribbean Music: Global Influence, Local Roots
Caribbean music has always had a monumental global footprint. Reggae legends like Bob Marley and Peter Toshchanged the world, while Dancehall artists like Sean Paul, Beenie Man, and Shabba Ranks brought island energy into clubs everywhere. Soca, once considered a niche genre, is now regularly played at international festivals and carnivals.
In recent years, artists like Koffee, Protoje, Shenseea, and Kes have kept this momentum going, infusing traditional sounds with Afrobeats, Hip-Hop, EDM, and Pop to create something uniquely Caribbean, yet universally appealing.
The Caribbean Music Awards doesn’t just celebrate this growth—it nurtures it, encouraging artists to keep innovating while staying rooted in their culture.
Brooklyn: The Perfect Location
The choice of Brooklyn as the event’s home is intentional and symbolic. Home to one of the largest Caribbean populations outside the region, the borough buzzes with Caribbean culture—from food and fashion to music and festivals. Hosting the awards in Brooklyn brings the celebration directly to the heart of a community that lives and breathes this music daily.
The Kings Theatre, with its grand interior and rich history, adds an air of elegance and cultural prestige to the event. It’s the ideal venue to crown the best in Caribbean music while providing fans and artists with a memorable experience.
What to Expect on Awards Night
While the full lineup of performers and presenters hasn’t been revealed yet, fans can expect a night packed with:
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Show-stopping live performances from Soca, Dancehall, and Reggae’s finest
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Tributes to Caribbean legends and pioneers
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Cultural showcases, highlighting regional dance styles, costumes, and traditions
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Surprise collaborations that blend genres and eras
Whether you’re watching from the audience or streaming from afar, the 2025 awards show aims to entertain, educate, and empower.
A Celebration of Caribbean Excellence
What sets the Caribbean Music Awards apart is its commitment to evergreen cultural celebration. It doesn’t follow fleeting trends; it honors legacy while championing the next generation. In this way, it becomes a historical archive and a launchpad.
For fans, it’s a chance to reconnect with their roots and discover new favorites. For artists, it’s a platform that recognizes not just chart success but cultural significance. And for the Caribbean community at large, it’s a proud reminder that their music—and by extension, their identity—is shaping the global soundscape.
More Than Music
At its core, the Caribbean Music Awards 2025 is a love letter to the islands, the sounds, the stories, and the people. It represents the past, present, and future of a region that has always punched above its weight in terms of influence and artistry.
With fan voting open, new categories announced, and a city like Brooklyn ready to bring the vibes, all signs point to this being the biggest, boldest, and most beautiful celebration of Caribbean music yet.
So, whether you’re a long-time fan of Reggae, a newcomer to Soca, or vibing with the new wave of Caribbean Fusion—this is your moment. Cast your vote, mark your calendar, and get ready to celebrate the rhythm of the islands in a way you’ve never seen before.
