Shenseea leads dancehall at CMAs; Lila Iké tops reggae

Shenseea won the most awards in the dancehall categories at Saturday’s Caribbean Music Awards (CMAs) in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago, taking home three titles. She was named Female Dancehall Artiste of the Year, while Shake It to the Max (FLY) [Remix], her collab with Moliy, Silent Addy and Skillibeng, won Dancehall Song of the Year and Dancehall Collaboration of the Year.

In reggae, Lila Iké led with two wins. She was named Female Reggae Artiste of the Year, and Romantic, featuring Masicka, secured Reggae Collaboration of the Year.

Masicka also won Dancehall Video of the Year for Rich Sex, giving him one award in each genre.

The other dancehall winners included Valiant, who was named Male Dancehall Artiste of the Year, and Ding Dong, who secured Dancehall Performer of the Year. Trinibad dancehall artiste Prince Swanny’s Saint was named Dancehall Album of the Year.

Ayetian received Dancehall Best New Artiste and the Dancehall Impact Award.

In the remaining reggae categories, Buju Banton was named Male Reggae Artiste of the Year and Chronixx’s Exile won Reggae Album of the Year. Protoje’s BIG 45 secured Reggae Song of the Year, while Cholita was named Reggae Best New Artiste.

Keznamdi received the Reggae Impact Award, months after winning his first Grammy Award for Blxxd & Fyah in February.

Several Jamaican entertainers were also recognised outside the two genres. Patra received the Lifetime Achievement Award, Alkaline won the People’s Choice Award, and Reggae Fest, organised by CJ Milan, was named Music Event of the Year.

MOST WINS

Trinidadian soca artiste Lady Lava recorded the most wins overall, earning four awards across the soca, zess and chutney soca categories. She was named Female Soca Artiste of the Year and Zess Artiste of the Year, while Bob the Builder won Zess Song of the Year. Cyah Pick, in her collaboration with Ravi B, secured Chutney Soca Song of the Year.

The ceremony was held at the National Academy for the Performing Arts. It was the first staging of the Caribbean Music Awards in the region following three years in Brooklyn, New York.

entertainment@gleanerjm.com