Marcia Griffiths received a Lifetime Achievement Award Honor and Cedella Marley a Legacy Award at the 2024 Caribbean Music Awards, presented Thursday (August 29) at the Kings Theater in Brooklyn, NY Dancehall artist Spice and comedian Majah Hype co-presented. show, which was broadcast live on YouTube.
“I am truly blessed to carry on the legacy my family has built,” Marley said upon accepting the award. “I am full of gratitude and honor to be recognized for my work. I want to express my sincere thanks to the committee members and the beautiful people of our Caribbean. Your support and inspiration drives my passion and motivates me to do things I was once told “you can't do that”.
Marley dedicated the award to her mother, Rita Marley, whom she described as her “hero”. “[She is] a woman of extraordinary strength, compassion, wisdom and love. It is her unwavering dedication and selflessness that has led to this moment. I am both proud and humbled to have her as my mother. As I pay tribute to Marley's legacy tonight, I celebrate the woman who laid the foundation. A love.”
Reggae legend Bob Marley was Cedella Marley's father. Skip Marley is her son. Cedella Marley won three Grammy Awards as a member of Ziggy Marley and the Melody Makers.
Shaggy paid tribute to Griffiths, who is celebrating 60 years in music. Griffiths is a former member of the I-Threes, who backed Bob Marley with backing vocals. It was nominated for a Grammy three years ago for Best Reggae Album A world. Closing the show, Tosh Alexander, Aiesha, Alaine and Nadine Sutherland played a tribute to Griffiths.
The most nominated artist of the night, Dexta Daps, won Artist of the Year (Dancehall). The Jamaican dance and reggae performer also performed a medley of songs including “Shabba Madda Pot” and “Call Me If.”
Other winners in competitive categories were Buju Banton, Romeo Santos, Shaggy & Kes and Burna Boy & Byron Messia.
Stephen “Di Genius” McGregor, who has produced recordings by artists as diverse as Sean Paul, Drake, John Legend, Vybz Kartel, John Legend, Shenseea and Jada Kingdom, received the producer award.
The Caribbean Music Awards recognize artists, producers and industry professionals who have made a significant contribution to the Caribbean music landscape. This year's shortlist included more than 40 categories covering a variety of genres including reggae, soca and dancehall.
The awards are presented by the Caribbean Elite Group, which also produces Caribbean Elite Magazine – a print and digital publication highlighting Caribbean entertainers, artists, producers, promoters, cuisine, travel, fashion and entrepreneurs.
A full list of winners in both competitive and honorary categories follows.
Competitive Categories
Impact Award 2023 (Dancehall): 450
Impact Award 2023 (Reggae): Mortimer
Impact Award 2023 (Soca): Pump
Album of the Year (Reggae) Buju Banton, Born for greatness
Album of the Year (Dancehall) Masicka, Generation of Kings
Artist of the Year (Bouyon): Mr. Ridge
Artist of the Year (French Caribbean): You're calling
Artist of the Year (Latin Caribbean): Romeo Santos
Female Artist of the Year (Dancehall): Shenseea
Female Artist of the Year (Reggae): Lila Ike
Female Artist of the Year (Soca): Patrice Roberts
Male Artist of the Year (Dancehall): Gallant
Male Artist of the Year (Reggae): Romain Virgo
Male Artist of the Year (Soca): Skinny Fabulous
Best New Artist (Dancehall): Rajah Wild
Best New Artist (Reggae): Ras-II
Best New Artist (Soca): Young Brenda
Collaboration of the Year – Soca: Nailah Blackman & Skinny Fabulous, “Come Home”
Collaboration of the Year – Reggae: Shaggy & Kes, “Mood”
Collaboration of the Year – (Ballroom): Burna Boy & Byron Messiah, Talibans II
Cruise Event of the Year: Uber Soca
Entertainer of the Year: Lee So Crazy
International DJ of the Year: DJ Puffy
Konpa Band of the Year: Zaphem
Music event of the year: Stink & Dutty
People's Choice (Powered by Spotify Frequency): Asa Badan
Best Performer of the Year (Dancehall): Dexta Daps
Best Female Artist of the Year (Soca): Mr. Killa
Song of the Year (Dancehall): Byron Messiah, “Taliban”
Song of the Year (Soca): Bunji Garlin, “Hard Fete”
Video of the Year (Dancehall): Tee Jay, “Drift”
Video of the Year (Soca): Nailah Blackman & Skinny Fabulous, “Come Home”
Honorary Awards
Lifetime Achievement Award: Marcia Griffiths
Elite Icon Award: Alison Hinds
Legacy Award: Cedella Marley
Artist of the Decade: Spice
Konpa Award Price: Taboo Combo
Producer Award Price: Di Genius
Chutney Award Price: Ravi B
Gospel Award: Sherwin Gardner
Calypso Award Price: Mighty Sparrow
