Caribbean music is about to take center stage like never before. The 2025 Caribbean Music Awards will make history on Friday, September 12, when the event airs for the first time on U.S. cable television through a landmark partnership with BET Media Group. Adding even more weight to the moment, New York powerhouse HOT 97 has joined as the official media partner, bridging Caribbean rhythms with the city’s thriving urban music culture. Together, these collaborations solidify the awards as a global platform celebrating the voices, artistry, and legacy of the Caribbean.
BET executives underscored the importance of the broadcast in elevating Caribbean culture on mainstream television. “Caribbean culture represents an essential dimension of the Black experience, and at BET Media Group, we remain steadfast in our role as the leading media institution dedicated to amplifying Black culture,” said Raymond Goulbourne, EVP, Broadcast Media Sales at BET. With BET’s televised coverage and HOT 97’s extensive reach, the awards will tap into audiences across the United States and beyond.
The expansion doesn’t stop there. Fans worldwide will also be able to tune into the red carpet arrivals, streamed live on BET.com, YouTube, Facebook, and official Caribbean Music Awards channels. This multiplatform strategy ensures the celebration’s energy reaches well beyond Brooklyn’s Kings Theatre, aligning perfectly with the city’s world-famous Labor Day festivities.
Carrying the theme “Voices of the Caribbean,” the evening promises a dazzling lineup of performances. Confirmed acts include Skinny Fabulous, Lila Iké, Lady Lava, Kranium, Chronic Law, Romain Virgo, Konshens, Full Blown, and Maureen, with more surprise appearances to come. Beyond the stage, the night will honor pioneers and icons shaping the region’s cultural legacy: Busta Rhymes (Elite Icon Award), Bounty Killer (Lifetime Achievement Award), Carimi (Legacy Honors), Sizzla Youth Foundation (Humanitarian Honors), Shirley Ann Cyril-Mayers (Gospel Honors), Austin “Super Blue” Lyons (Calypso Honors), and Kerwin Du Bois (Producer Honors).
With its broadcast debut on BET, new media partnership with HOT 97, and a celebration steeped in history, artistry, and recognition, the Caribbean Music Awards 2025 is poised to be more than a show—it’s a defining cultural moment that bridges the past, present, and future of Caribbean artistry.
