Caribbean Music Awards 2025 Winners List: Bounty Killer, Busta Rhymes, Shenseea, Masicka and More

By: Shawn
‎The 2025 Caribbean Music Awards celebrated some of the most influential voices in reggae, soca, and dancehall, honoring icons and emerging stars alike. The third annual ceremony took place on August 28 at Kings Theatre in Brooklyn, New York, and aired on BET on September 12. Hosted by comedian Majah Hype, the event recognized over 40 categories across the Caribbean music spectrum.
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‎Bounty Killer received a Lifetime Achievement Award and Busta Rhymes earned the Elite Icon Award at the 2025 Caribbean Music Awards in Brooklyn.
‎Maximillian Blay
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‎Bounty Killer received the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award, marking another milestone in a career that has shaped dancehall for decades. The Kingston-born legend has earned three Billboard Hot 100 entries, including his collaborations “Hip-Hopera” with The Fugees, “Deadly Zone” with Mobb Deep and Rappin’ Noyd, and the global hit “Hey Baby” with No Doubt, which peaked at No. 5 in 2001. The award came shortly after his headline performance at Brooklyn’s Barclays Center, his first U.S. show in 15 years.
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‎Busta Rhymes was honored with the Elite Icon Award, further cementing his legacy as one of hip-hop’s most prominent Jamaican-American figures. The Billboard 200 chart-topper has long championed Caribbean talent, working with artists such as Vybz Kartel, Spice, Sean Paul, Skillibeng, YG Marley, Ding Dong, and Popeye Caution. The recognition followed his receipt of the inaugural Rock the Bells Visionary Award at the 2025 MTV Video Music Awards.
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‎Shenseea and Masicka entered the evening as the most nominated artists, each with seven nods, and both left with multiple wins. Shenseea nearly swept the night, taking home five awards, including Dancehall Album of the Year for Never Gets Late Here, which earned her first solo Grammy nomination earlier in 2025. Masicka secured four trophies, including Reggae Song of the Year for his featured role on Romain Virgo’s “Been There Before” and three alongside Shenseea for their collaborative hit “Hit & Run.”
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‎Several other major artists also claimed multiple wins. Vybz Kartel, Romain Virgo, and producer Di Genius each earned three awards, while Patrice Roberts and Kes won two apiece. Notable victories included Lady Lava taking home the inaugural Zess-Steam Artist of the Year award and Dexta Daps becoming the first-ever Caribbean R&B Artist of the Year. Additional winners included Lila Iké, Buju Banton, and Armanii, who performed earlier this month at Billboard R&B/Hip-Hop Live.
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‎The Caribbean Music Awards, presented by the Caribbean Elite Group, honor the artists, producers, and professionals driving Caribbean music worldwide. The event continues to showcase the diverse impact of reggae, soca, and dancehall, reflecting the global influence of Caribbean culture. The Caribbean Elite Group also produces Caribbean Elite Magazine, highlighting Caribbean entertainment, fashion, travel, cuisine, and entrepreneurship.
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‎Here’s a complete list of winners in both competitive (fan-voted) and honorary categories.
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‎COMPETITIVE CATEGORIES

‎2025 Impact Award (Dancehall): Armanii
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‎2025 Impact Award (Reggae): YG Marley
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‎2025 Impact Award (Soca): Yung Bredda
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‎Album of the Year (Reggae): Romain Virgo, The Gentle Man
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‎Album of the Year (Dancehall): Shenseea, Never Gets Late Here
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‎Artist of the Year (Bouyon): Mr. Ridge
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‎Artist of the Year (French Caribbean): Joé Dwèt Filé
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‎Artist of the Year (Latin Caribbean): Bad Bunny
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‎Artist/Band of the Year (Konpa): Rutshelle Guillaume
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‎Caribbean R&B Artist of the Year: Dexta Daps
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‎Caribbean Fusion Artist of the Year: Naïka
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‎Zess-Steam Artist of the Year: Lady Lava
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‎Artist of the Year — Female (Dancehall): Shenseea
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‎Artist of the Year — Female (Reggae): Lila Iké
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‎Artist of the Year — Female (Soca): Patrice Roberts
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‎Artist of the Year — Male (Dancehall): Vybz Kartel
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‎Artist of the Year — Male (Reggae): Romain Virgo
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‎Artist of the Year — Male (Soca): Kes
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‎Best New Artist (Dancehall): Malie Donn
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‎Best New Artist (Reggae): Sevana
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‎Best New Artist (Soca): Blaka Dan
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‎Collaboration of the Year (Soca): Trilla G, Lil Boy & Quan, “Someone Else”
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‎Collaboration of the Year (Reggae): Bugle, Buju Banton & Damian “Jr Gong” Marley, “Thank You Lord”
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‎Collaboration of the Year (Dancehall): Shenseea, Masicka & Di Genius, “Hit & Run”
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‎Cruise Event of the Year: UberSoca
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‎Music Event of the Year: Vybz Kartel’s Freedom Street
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‎Male International DJ of the Year: DJ Private Ryan
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‎Female International DJ of the Year: DJ Ana
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‎People’s Choice: Vybz Kartel
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‎Performer of the Year (Dancehall): Spice
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‎Performer of the Year (Soca): Kes
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‎Song of the Year (Dancehall): Shenseea, Masicka & Di Genius, “Hit & Run”
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‎Song of the Year (Soca): Mical Teja, “DNA”
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‎Song of the Year (Reggae): Romain Virgo feat. Masicka, “Been There Before”
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‎Video of the Year (Reggae/Dancehall): Shenseea, Masicka & Di Genius, “Hit & Run”
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‎Video of the Year (Soca): Patrice Roberts, “Anxiety”
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‎Honorary Awards
‎Lifetime Achievement Award: Bounty Killer
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‎Elite Icon Award: Busta Rhymes
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‎Legacy Award: Carimi
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‎Humanitarian Award: Sizzla
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‎Producer Award Honor: Kerwin Du Bois
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‎Gospel Award Honor: Shirley Ann Cyril-Mayers
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‎Calypso Award Honor: Austin “Super Blue” Lyons

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