Skinny Fabulous biggest winner at CMA

Vincentian soca star Skinny Fabulous was by far the biggest winner Thursday night during the 2nd Annual Caribbean Music Awards (CMA) at Kings Theatre on Flatbush Avenue in Brooklyn.

Skinny Fabulous, a St. Vincent and the Grenadines Cultural Ambassador, whose real name is Gamal Doyle, copped three awards for Artist of the Year Male (Soca); Collaboration of the Year – Soca, with Trinidadian Nailah Blackman on “Come Home”; and Video of the Year (Soca) with Blackman, also on “Come Home.”

After receiving the Video of the Year (Soca) award for collaborating with Blackman, Skinny Fabulous said: “This is what it means for Caribbean people who work together. Nailah is from Trinidad and Tobago, and I’m from St. Vincent and the Grenadines.”

On receiving the Artist of the Year Male (Soca), he told the star-studded ceremony: “I believe in myself. I want to thank you ‘Famalay’ (stressing the title of his popular hit, referring to family).”

While on the red carpet, before the ceremony, Skinny Fabulous, who was nominated for six awards, made it clear to reporters that “Vincy Carnival is the best.”

Skinny Fabulous and Nailah Blackman receive awards.  Photo by Fresh Made It

St. Vincent and the Grenadines Consul General to the United States Rondy “Luta” McIntosh, also a popular soca artiste, could not be prouder of Skinny Fabulous’s accomplishments.

“The significant achievements by our Cultural Ambassador Gamal ‘Skinny Fabulous’ Doyle is a perfect example of not letting the size of the landscape you call your home limit the size of your dreams,” he told Caribbean Life exclusively. “Skinny has taken our unique brand of soca music to great heights, which carries on the legacy of St. Vincent and the Grenadines as being one of the top soca-producing nations in the music industry.

“I have witnessed first-hand the incredible journey of this Soca King – a journey laden with accolades and honors, from Soca Monarch to Road March to Soca Artiste of the Year, to name a few, McIntosh added. “I take no credit for his exceptional talent or achievements but feel blessed to have been part of his remarkable journey at the early stages of his development by recognizing his great talent and taking him to the studio to collaborate on three soca songs, namely ‘Grooving’, ‘Busy Tone’ and ‘Cat Scan’. Busy tone remains one of the most memorable songs in my catalog to date.”

McIntosh noted that the Prime Minister, Dr. Ralph E. Gonsalves, and Government of St. Vincent and the Grenadines also recognized the “exceptional talent of Skinny Fabulous at an early stage and conferred upon him the title of Cultural Ambassador in 2013.

“The Consulate General, along with the US-Vincy Diasporan population, extends congratulations to His Excellency Gamal ‘Skinny Fabulous’ Doyle for copping three prestigious awards at this year’s Caribbean Music Awards,” he said.

“We are immensely proud of you, and we look forward to celebrating more achievements with you in the future,” he added. “One Love, One SVG!”

The Caribbean Elite Group, organizer of the CMA, said that a star-studded line-up returned to the iconic Kings Theatre for the second successive year, describing the event as “an unforgettable night of celebration, music, cultural pride and a showcase of ‘Voices of The Caribbean.’”

Hosted by the Queen of Dancehall, Spice, and the King of Comedy, Majah Hype, CMA said this year’s awards was “a spectacular showcase of talent,” with a lineup that underscored the “diversity and vibrancy of Caribbean music.”

The 2024 Caribbean Music Awards featured dynamic performances from a diverse range of influential and emerging artists in the industry.

Patrons were captivated by, among others, Tee Jay, Shaneil Muir, Asa Banton, Mr. Killa, Morgan Heritage, Christopher Martin, Tosh Alexander, Pumpa, Blackman, Pressure, Nadine Sutherland, Ravi B, Gramps Morgan, Sherwin Gardner, Alaine, Lyrikal, Lead Pipe, Mical Teja, Wendi, Nessa Preppy, DJ Stakz, Oswald, Aiesha, Natty and Thunder, Mr. Legz, and Faith Callender.

The Caribbean Elite Group “said these artists, representing a wide array of islands, genres and styles, lit up the stage with performances that honored the “rich musical traditions of the Caribbean.”

In addition to these “incredible performances,” the Caribbean Elite Group said the event featured appearances by industry heavyweights as presenters, including 2023 Caribbean Music Awards Lifetime Achievement Award honoree Machel Montano, Shaggy, Dexta Daps, Patrice Roberts, Kranium, Skip Marley, Angela Yee, DJ Cassidy, GBM Nutron, Chronic Law, Julie Mango, Govana, Spragga Benz, Baby Cham and Problem Child.

The Caribbean Elite Group said these presenters, alongside special guest surprises, contributed to an evening that celebrated “the best of Caribbean music and culture.”

Others on winners’ row in the respective categories Thursday night were: 2023 Impact Award (Dancehall) 450; 2023 Impact Award (Reggae) Moritmer; 2023 Impact Award (Soca) Pumpa; 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) Kalash; Artist of the Year (Latin Caribbean) Romeo Santos; Artist of the Year Female (Dancehall) Shenseea; Artist Of The Year Female (Reggae) Lila Ike; and Artist Of The Year Female (Soca) Patrice Roberts.

Others were: Artist of the Year Male (Dancehall) Valiant; Artist of the Year Male (Reggae) Romain Virgo; Best New Artist (Dancehall) Rajah Wild; Best New Artist (Reggae) Ras I; Best New Artist (Soca) Yung Bredda; Collaboration of the Year (Reggae) Shaggy & Kes with “Mood”; Collaboration of the Year (Dancehall) Burna Boy & Byron Messia with “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, Zafem; Music Event of the Year, Stink & Dutty; and People’s Choice (Powered by Spotify’s Frequency) Asa Bantan.

The Mighty Sparrow, in a wheelchair, collaborates with Machel Montano on ‘Congo Man.’ Photo by Fresh Made It

Others continued: Performer of the Year (Dancehall) Dexta Daps; Performer of the Year (Soca) Mr. Killa; Song of the year (Dancehall) Byron Messia with “Talibans”; Song of the Year (Soca)  Bunji Garlin with “Hard Fete”; Video of the year (Dancehall) Tee Jay with “Drift”; Artist of the Decade – Spice; Konpa Award Honor – Tabou Combo; Producer Award Honor – Di Genius; Chutney Award Honor – Ravi B; Gospel Award Honor – Sherwin Gardner; Calypso Award Honor – The Mighty Sparrow; Lifetime Achievement Award – Marcia Griffiths; Elite Icon Award – Alison Hinds; and Legacy Award – Cedella Marley.

“It does not matter where you come from, it’s always good to have Caribbean people under one roof,” Spice, who is celebrating 25 years as a Dancehall artist, told the sell-out crowd.

“We waited 364 days for this day,” she added. “I’m so proud to be a Caribbean artist, proud to be a Caribbean ambassador and proud to be a Caribbean woman.”

Majah Hype intoned: “All those who want to be Caribbean, make some noise (the massive audience obliged).

“We’ll soon be in the White House,” he added, referring to the prospective election of US Vice President Kamala Harris, the daughter of a Jamaican father, as the next President of the United States.

Blackman said, when “Come Home” came to her, she “knew it was something special.

“It’s such a blessing to stand here and to be accomplished,” she told the effervescent crowd. “Thank you to all the fans.”

After receiving his award, Gardner said: “It’s truly a blessing to be here. To the Caribbean family, I want to say, ‘Thank You.’”

“I hope this is not the last time that Gospel Music will be represented,” he added before singing, “God, we thank you for the good things you’ve done…All your wishes will come true.”

Cedella Marley said she “felt gratitude and honor” in receiving her award.

“I dedicate this award to my hero,” she said. “I’m proud to represent my mother.”

Majah Hype said Sparrow, who was confined to a wheel chair, is “not only a calypsonian; he is an entertainer.

“Thank you, ‘Birdie,’ for inspiring us with calypso,” he said, referring to Sparrow. “Birdie’s influence inspired generations.”

After he was wheeled on stage, Machel Montano, Sparrow’s presenter, started one of Sparrow’s hits of yesteryear, “Jean and Dinah.”

Sparrow instantly quipped: “I can’t remember that” (to loud laughter).

They both then joined in singing an abbreviated version of Sparrow’s popular “Congo Man.”

Ravi B said he felt “very honored for this tonight,” adding: “This is honor for Chutney Music. To the Soca Music Award, thank you.”

Barbadian soca singer Alison Hinds at the 2nd Annual Caribbean Music Awards (CMA) at Kings Theatre on Flatbush Avenue in Brooklyn. Photo by Nelson A. King

Allison Hinds, who lost her voice, was, clearly, unable to speak, but one of her “handlers” read a message from her cell phone, thanking her “team” and her fans: “I’m happy to be part of a beautiful culture. Thank you to the fans.”

Caribbean Elite Group said the Caribbean Music Awards have become a premier event, celebrating the global impact of Caribbean music and honoring those who have played a pivotal role in its evolution.

It said this year’s awards were “the biggest and most exciting yet, with a night full of performances, appearances and honors” that resonated with fans worldwide.