From Vybz Kartel’s culture-quaking comeback to the global domination of Moliy, Silent Addy and Disco Neil’s “Shake It to the Max,” Caribbean music and culture have been running 2025. To commemorate an incredible year, the region’s biggest and buzziest stars descended upon Kings Theater in Brooklyn, N.Y. for the third annual Caribbean Music Awards (Aug. 28).
Hosted by Majah Hype, the “King of Caribbean Comedy,” the night featured special performances from Machel Montano, Elephant Man, Ding Dong, Lady Lava, Full Blown, Maureen, and more. With reggae, dancehall, calypso, konpa and soca all given spotlights, the breadth of West Indian music was on full display. Additional celebrity appearances included Shenseea, Spice, Dexta Daps, Serani, Buju Banton, Patrice Roberts, Alison Hinds, Lyrikal, and Armanii, who recently performed at Billboard‘s annual R&B/Hip-Hop Live concert on Sept. 6. Inside the theater, attendees were treated to a litany of West Indian iconoclasts, including live steelpan bands, blinged-out Carnival costumes, and Jamaican and Haitian beef patties.
In addition to over 40 competitive awards, several pillars of Caribbean music were honored for their contributions to the culture. Bounty Killer took home the lifetime achievement award, Sizzla earned the humanitarian award, and Busta Rhymes was honored with the elite icon award. Additional special honorees included Austin “Super Blue” Lyons (calypso honors), Kerwin Du Bois (producer honor), Carimi (legacy award) and Shirley Ann Cyril-Mayers (gospel honors).
This year’s Caribbean Music Awards aired Sept. 12 on BET, marking the very first time the ceremony has been televised. On the red carpet, Billboard hosted a live stream co-hosted by staff writer Kyle Denis and Love Island USA’s Chelley Bissainthe.
Here are the six best moments from the 2025 Caribbean Music Awards.
