From Kingston to the World: Bounty Killer’s Legacy Celebrated with Lifetime Honour
The first selection of esteemed special award recipients for the 2025 Caribbean Music Awards have been announced, honouring legendary musicians whose influence has significantly impacted the cultural scene of Caribbean music worldwide.
Jamaican Dancehall Icon Bounty Killer will be honoured with a Lifetime Achievement Award, commemorating his immense influence across generations. Born Mark “Bounty Killer” Myrie in 1972 in Kingston, Jamaica, his raw lyrical style and gritty storytelling revolutionised dancehall in the ’90s. With hits like Built Fi Dis, Stress, and Living Dangerously, he carved a fearless persona that influenced younger stars like Vybz Kartel and Sean Paul. He was also a founding member of the Alliance crew, alongside Beenie Man and Mr. Vegas—cementing his legacy as both innovator and mentor in the genre. Fans can look forward to his highly anticipated return to the stage for his first U.S. performance in fifteen years, set to take place at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York, on July 5 – as part of the Reggae Fest concert series.
Legendary Trini calypsonian Austin “Super Blue” Lyons, the visionary behind the iconic “jump and wave” style of soca via his 1991 hit Get Something and Wave—a phenomenon that continues to ignite the spirit of carnival celebrations around the world—will receive the prestigious Calypso Honours for his lasting impact on the genre. Super Blue is also the father of singer Fay-Ann Lyons.
Additionally, the extraordinary Kerwin Du Bois, also from Trinidad, a versatile powerhouse renowned for his exceptional talents as a producer and composer, will be recognised for his influence on Caribbean music and will receive a the Producer Honour.
2025 Caribbean Music Awards Nominees
The 2025 CMA event showcases over 200 nominees across more than 40 categories. Jamaican artists Masicka and Shenseea lead the charge with seven nominations each, while Trini Soca stars Patrice Roberts and Kes closely follow with six nominations a piece. Notable artists such as Vybz Kartel, Buju Banton, Nailah Blackman, Chronic Law, and Kranium have also made their mark, each receiving five nominations.
Known as ‘The Grand Night of Caribbean Music’ the third annual Caribbean Music Awards will take place on August 28th, at Kings Theatre in Brooklyn, New York.