The 2025 Caribbean Music Awards, set for August 28, 2025, in Brooklyn, New York, have unveiled nominations for its third annual celebration, presented by the Caribbean Elite Group. With over 150 nominees across more than 40 categories, the event will honor Caribbean music’s trailblazers. Voting is open from April 9 to May 31 at CaribMusicAwards.com.
Leading nominees include Masicka and Shenseea with seven nominations each, followed by Patrice Roberts and Kes with six each for their Soca and Caribbean Fusion contributions. Vybz Kartel, Nailah Blackman, Chronic Law, and Kranium each earned five nominations, while Bunji Garlin, Romain Virgo, and Lila Iké secured four each, reflecting their global impact.
Seven new categories debut this year, including Reggae – Collaboration of the Year, Reggae Song of the Year, Female – International DJ of the Year, Caribbean Fusion Song of the Year, Caribbean R&B Artist of the Year, Zess-Steam Artist of the Year, and Gospel Song of the Year, showcasing the genre’s diversity and evolution.
The awards celebrate genres like Soca, Dancehall, Reggae, Kompa, Chutney, and Gospel. Key nominations include:
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People’s Choice: Joé Dwèt Filé, Kes, Lady Lava, Shenseea, Skeng, Skillibeng, Vybz Kartel, Yung Bredda.
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Dancehall – Album of the Year: Trilogy (Dexta Daps), Legacy (Govana), Never Gets Late Here (Shenseea), Mirror 25 (Spice), First Week Out (Vybz Kartel).
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Male Dancehall – Artist of the Year: Busy Signal, Chronic Law, Dexta Daps, Kranium, Masicka, Sean Paul, Valiant, Vybz Kartel.
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Female Dancehall – Artist of the Year: Jada Kingdom, Shaneil Muir, Shenseea, Spice, Stalk Ashley, Stefflon Don, Vanessa Bling.
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Reggae Song of the Year: “Been There Before” (Romain Virgo feat. Masicka), “Thank You Lord” (Bugle, Buju Banton, Damian “Jr Gong” Marley), “Fry Plantain” (Lila Iké, Joey Bada$$), among others.
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Soca Song of the Year: “Anxiety” (Patrice Roberts), “Best Self” (Nailah Blackman, Lyrikal), “Carnival Contract” (Bunji Garlin), and more.
The event celebrates Caribbean music’s global influence, with updates and voting available at CaribMusicAwards.com and social media (@CaribMusicAwards, @CaribbeanEliteMagazine). High-res press photos from the 2023 and 2024 awards are also accessible.
Source: African Publicity