Spread the love

Caribbean Urban Music Awards launches to great success. After a brief change of venue from James Bond Beach , Ocho Rios to Sugarman Beach in Kingston, Jamaica due to flooding in Ocho Rios. The CUMA 2008 finally kicked off on the 26th of April 2008. Opening the show was the host with the most Spragga Benz who not only won Best Male Artist but also stole the show as regards the best host and performer of the night. Spragga Benz showed his versatility by hosting, dj-ing, collaborating, toasting, you guess it, and he did it!!! The crowd was vibrant and the vibe was absolutely live and then it came to the award for Best Newcomer which went to Erupt. Erupt performed for 15 mins straight and when he ended his performance with ‘Click my Finger’, the audience was left screaming out for more. Then, came the award for Best Female artist handed to Cherine Anderson who has just recently collaborated with pop sensation Britney Spears. Cherine tore the stage as usual and linked up with CUMA host Spragga Benz for a collaborative performance which will go down in the UMA’s books as one of the best I have seen.

Next up, Spragga took the stage to announce the winner of the Outstanding Achievement Award for 2008 and Best International Artist with the award going to the Doctor, Beenie Man. Beenie Man got on stage and said “The UMA’s is a well respected awards ceremony in the US, UK and other countries worldwide and he feels proud to be honored and happy the UMA’s has decided to launch in Jamaica and in the Caribbean as a whole”.

Beenie Man then went on to perform with 20 lingerie models for 15 minutes straight. All his hits were brought out live on CUMA 2008 beach stage…You had to be there to understand how good his performance was.

Then, the award for Best Group was announced. This was an intense contest between Brick & Lace, Voicemail, Morgan Heritage and more. The winner of the award went to T.O.K who said “The Caribbean Urban Music Awards is the only transparent award ceremony of its kind with all categories being voted for by you the fans and the audience which gives it that credibility that everyone that wins definitely deserves it. So thank you to CUMA’s”.

Other winners and performances on the night included:
Artist of the Year
Sizzla

Best Album
Sizzla (Overstanding) Kolanji Records/DDMG

Best Calypso Act
Machel Montano

Best Collaboration
Daville ft. Sean Paul (Always on My mind)

Best Female Artist
Cherine Anderson

Best Group
T.O.K

Best International Artist
Beenie Man

Best International Disc Jockey/Sound
Bass Odyssey (Jamaica)

Best Magazine (Online & Offline)
Outaroad.com

Best Male Artist
Spragga Benz

Best Music TV Station
Reggae Television

Best Newcomer
Erupt

Best Radio Station
Irie Fm (Jamaica)

Best Reggaeton Act
Daddy Yankee (Puerto Rico)

Best Soca Artist
Alison Hinds (Barbados)

In addition to the CUMA awards show, the afterparty kicked off with DJ’s Nick the Greek and Carlos from Invincibleradio.com and Invincible Magazine. There were more performers on the night include Esco (formerly of Leftside & Esco) and much more. However, it was clear to see that the 1st ever annual Caribbean Urban Music Awards was a great success, with an intimate, lively audience and left the guests and patrons looking forward to next year’s awards show. Broadcast dates on 6 Television stations worldwide will be announced shortly.