CARIBBEAN ELITE GROUP HOLDS HISTORIC “CARIBBEAN MUSIC AWARDS” HOSTED BY WYCLEF JEAN

The “CARIBBEAN MUSIC AWARDS” 2023 premiered at Kings Theatre on August 31 in Brooklyn, New York. Hosted by 3x Grammy-awards winner Wyclef Jean, the blissful extravaganza introduced collectively over 3,000 individuals in attendance, starting from performing artists and honorees to followers of Caribbean music who at the moment are cemented in historical past after witnessing a celebration, on this magnitude, of music inside the wealthy diaspora of the Caribbean.

Recapping the turnout and help from the inaugural occasion, the Caribbean Music Awards staff shared, “This 12 months was an important first step to what’s to come back. The love and appreciation for what Thursday night time planted is the start to one thing particular. Thanks to everybody who attended, tuned in and understood why this was necessary… and now that we now have the world’s consideration, we look ahead to shining a good brighter and wider highlight on the Caribbean Music scene as an entire.”

The particular night time kicked off with DJ Younger Chow as he welcomed everybody in attendance and ignited a carnival melody with a efficiency by Alison Hinds of her smash hits “Fuluma,” “Togetherness,” and Rupee as he carried out his legendary Soca single “Bounce.” Trinidadian Soca star JW proceeded the mash-up with a efficiency of his single “Palance” accompanied by a carnival parade of dancers wearing Caribbean pageant style. Eliciting pleasure within the room from all, the stage was set for the night time as Wyclef Jean formally launched himself to the viewers.

“Tonight is an important night time as we rejoice the Caribbean area” Wyclef Jean shared with the gang in attendance earlier than he introduced the night time’s first award, ‘Greatest New Soca Artist,’ which went to artist Tempa.

Buju Banton acquired the primary honors of the night time with a Humanitarian Award, which highlighted the invaluable efforts of his philanthropic basis the ‘Buju Banton Basis.’ Kes delivered a heartwarming speech honoring Trinidadian artist David Rudder with an Elite Calypso Music Award honor. Carel Pedre saluted and honored the late Mikaben with a Kompa Music Award honor. Mikaben’s brother, Lionel Benjamin accepted the distinction award on behalf of the artist whose music continues to complement the worldwide music panorama. Morgan Heritage welcomed a particular tribute to Beres Hammond, which included performances by Dexta Daps, Kranium, Toni-Ann Singh and Romain Virgo. Hammond was formally honored with the Elite Icon Award by the president of VP Data Chris Chin. Shortly after accepting his honor in individual, New York Metropolis Council Member Rita Joseph swiftly introduced Hammond with a New York Metropolis Honor on behalf of town. DJ Stephen and Doug E. Recent welcomed an honor to Machel Mantono with a Lifetime Achievement Award. On the dazzling pink carpet, as he made his approach to his seat, Mantono shared with B.E.T. “Man, I’m so excited. This [today] is Trinidad and Tobago’s independence, however I really feel like it is a Caribbean birthday as a result of so many people from the completely different islands are right here… we by no means actually get to do that. That is the one second to shine and shine in unity. Once we come collectively, all of us relate, and all of us gel. This Caribbean Music Awards is a blessing, and I see this as a starting to huge issues to come back.”

Extra of the performances included Wyclef Jean, who ushered in a soulful acoustic melody with Teddyson John, Nailah Blackman, and Jada Kingdom, who carried out a rendition of her cinematic single “GPP.” Dancehall artist Ding Dong, who additionally acquired two award wins for the night time, unleashed a medley of high-energy performances of a few of his most acclaimed hits. Angela Hunte, Farmer Nappy & Skinny Fabulous additionally carried out their respective Soca hits. Doug E. Recent launched the closing set of performances for the night time by saying, “There wouldn’t be no Hip Hop, with out Caribbean Music” as he ushered in an electrical efficiency between himself and Vicious (p.ok.a. Lil’ Vicious) with “Freaks,” Skeng, Shaneil Muir, Laa Lee adopted swimsuit with performances as properly. Wayne Surprise carried out a melody of his hit singles, together with “Saddest Day of My Life” “No Letting Go” as Child Cham carried out “Ghetto Story earlier than Dexta Daps joined him for an official conclusion efficiency of the night time.

Presenters of the night time included MYA, Spice, Renée Neufville (Zhané), actor Leon Preston (The 5 Heartbeats, Cool Runnings), Michael Rainey Jr. (Energy on STARZ), Kes, Kabaka Pyramid, Majah Hype,Shaneil Muir, Toni-Ann Singh, Vershon, Shireen B, Karlie Redd, Tanisha Scott, Ricardo Drue, Tosh Alexander, Child Cham and extra.

Award winners of the night time included Vybz Kartel for ‘Artist of the Decade,’ Nicki Minaj and Skeng for his or her collaboration single “Likkle Miss,” Popcaan and Toni-Ann Singh for ‘Video of the Yr (Dancehall/Reggae)’ and Spice for ‘Feminine Artist of the Yr.’ Kes took house the ‘Individuals’s Alternative Awards,’ powered by Spotify’s Frequency as Viking Ding Dong, Samora, Patrice Roberts, Masicka, GBM & DJ Spider, Kabaka Pyramid, Dexta Daps, and extra acquired award wins for the night time as properly. The whole record of winners of the 2023 Caribbean Music Awards was formally unveiled by Billboard HERE and are listed under: 

EP of The Yr (Dancehall)
Successful Artist: Alkaline
EP: The Ripple EFFX

Influence Award (Dancehall)
Successful Artist: Power Regulation

Influence Award (Reggae)
Successful Artist: Kabaka Pyramid

Influence Award (Soca)
Successful Artist: Viking Ding Dong

Performer of Yr (Soca)
Successful Artist: Mr. Killa

Album of Yr (Dancehall)
Successful Artist: Masicka
Album: 438 

Feminine Artist of The Yr (Dancehall)
Successful Artist: Spice

Feminine Artist of The Yr (Reggae)
Successful Artist: Lila Iké 

Male Artist of Yr (Dancehall)
Successful Artist: Ding Dong

Male Artist of Yr (Reggae)
Successful Artist: Beres Hammond

Male Artist of Yr (Soca)
Successful Artist: Machel Montano 

Feminine Artist of Yr (Soca)
Successful Artist: Patrice Roberts

Individuals’s Alternative Award (Powered by Spotify’s Frequency)
Successful Artist: Kes

Artist of Decade
Successful Artist: Vybz Kartel

Collaboration of the Yr (Soca)
Successful Artist: GBM Nutron & DJ Spider
Tune: “Down Dey”

Collaboration of the Yr Dancehall & Reggae
Successful Artist(s): Skeng & Nicki Minaj
Tune: “Likkle Miss” 

Video of Yr (Dancehall/Reggae)
Successful Artist(s): Popcaan & Toni-Anne Singh 
“Subsequent To Me” 

Video of Yr (Soca)
Successful Artist: Patrice Roberts
Tune “Thoughts My Enterprise” 

Greatest New Artist (Dancehall)
Successful Artist: Valiant 

Greatest New Artist (Reggae)
Successful Artist: Samora

Greatest New Artist (Soca)
Successful Artist: Tempa

Kompa Band of the Yr
Successful Artist: Klass

Dance Tune of The Yr
Successful Artist: Ding Dong
Tune: “BOUNCE” 

Performer of Yr (Dancehall)
Successful Artist: Dexta Daps

Album of the Yr (Reggae)
Successful Artist: Kabaka Pyramid
Album: The Kalling 

For the most recent updates and details about to the 2023 Caribbean Music Awards, go to CaribMusicAwards.com and/or comply with the platform on IG @CaribMusicAwards @CaribbeanEliteMagazine. 

© 2023, Seth “Digital Crates” Barmash. All rights reserved.