The first annual Caribbean Music Awards was held on Thursday at King’s Theatre in Flatbush, Brooklyn. Hosted by Wyclef Jean, the show was a vibrant and spirited celebration of all music, people, and culture with roots in the West Indies.
“I’ve been to the Grammys, MTV Awards, all kinds of awards around the world. This is the only award show I feel so comfortable,” Clef told the audience at the top of the show.
“Tonight is a very, very important night as we celebrate the Caribbean region. Tonight is history,” the Haitian music mogul said. “They steal our culture and they change the name of it. They call it ‘pop.’ Tonight, we’re taking everything back to the Caribbean.”
Unlike other major music awards like the Grammys or Billboard Music Awards, the Caribbean Music Awards recognized artists from Caribbean music genres, including Soca, Dancehall, and Kompa, among others.
Award recipients were chosen by fans, who had opportunities to vote for their favorite songs, artists, and music videos online, months before the event.
Below are the winners announced on the night.
Overall Awards
People’s Choice Award: Kees Dieffenthaller
Artist of the Decade: Vybz Kartel
Dance Song of the Year: Bounce – Ding Dong
Soca Awards
Best New Soca Artist: Tempa
Best Soca Collab: GBM
Impact Award: Viking Ding Dong
Collaboration of the Year: GBM Nutron (feat. DJ Spider) – Down Dey
Kompa Awards
Band of the Year: Klass
Reggae and Dancehall Awards
Impact Award Reggae: Kabaka Pyramid
Video of the Year: Next to Me – Popcaan (feat. Toni-Ann Singh)
Female Artist of the Year: Spice
Best New Artist: Samora
Collaboration of the Year Reggae/Dancehall: Skeng (feat. Nicki Minaj) – Little Miss
Album of the Year: 438 by Masicka
Performer of the Year: Dexta Daps
Special Honorees
Lifetime Achievement Award: Machel Montano
Kompa Music Award: Mikaben
Elite Icon Award: Beres Hammond
Humanitarian Award: Buju Banton
Elite Calypso Music Award Honoree: David Rudder