The Sizzla Youth Foundation, established by the renowned reggae stalwart Sizzla Kalonji, will be honoured with the Humanitarian Award at the upcoming 2025 Caribbean Music Awards for its steadfast dedication to youth empowerment, education, and community upliftment through music and social programs. Known for championing social justice and cultural pride, Sizzla’s philanthropic work through the Foundation has long been a beacon of hope in under-resourced communities across Jamaica. This latest accolade not only solidifies his commitment to humanitarian efforts but also highlights how reggae’s enduring spirit continues to uplift the next generation. The Foundation’s impact reflects what many in the industry see as music’s highest calling—creating positive, lasting change.
Joining Sizzla in the spotlight is dancehall legend Bounty Killer, who will receive the Lifetime Achievement Award—one of the most prestigious honours of the night. The award celebrates his unmatched influence on dancehall culture and his pivotal role in shaping the genre into a global force. From his gritty lyrics and socially charged anthems to his mentorship of now-superstars like Vybz Kartel, Mavado, Aidonia, and Busy Signal, Bounty Killer’s legacy is both vast and enduring.
The 2025 Caribbean Music Awards, now in its third year, will take place on August 28 at Brooklyn’s Kings Theatre, celebrating over 200 nominees across more than 40 categories. With a record 73% increase in voting participation, this year’s staging promises to be the most impactful yet. Front-runners for the night include Masicka and Shenseea, each earning seven nominations, while Patrice Roberts and Kes follow closely with six. Other notable names such as Vybz Kartel, Buju Banton, Chronic Law, Nailah Blackman, and Kranium each garnered five nods, underscoring the richness and diversity of talent across the region.
The honourees also include Haitian konpa icons Carimi, who will reunite on stage to accept the Legacy Award for their genre-defining contributions to Haitian music and culture, and gospel powerhouse Shirley Ann Cyril-Mayers, affectionately known as St. Lucia’s Queen of Gospel Music, who will receive the Gospel Honour. Super Blue, the soca visionary who pioneered the “jump and wave” movement, and genre-blending producer Kerwin Du Bois are also set to be recognized, rounding out a lineup that speaks to the Caribbean’s vast musical impact.
With new media partnerships announced with Trace and HOT 97, the Caribbean Music Awards is pushing its cultural narrative onto the global stage. “We’re not just celebrating music,” said a representative from the Caribbean Elite Group, “we’re honouring the heartbeat of our communities, our identities, and our power to shape the world.” In recognizing changemakers like Sizzla and Bounty Killer, the ceremony underscores a powerful truth: Caribbean music is more than rhythm—it’s revolution, legacy, and lifeblood.
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