Local Artiste to be Honoured at Caribbean Music Awards Tomorrow

Local gospel artiste Shirley Ann Cyril-Mayers will be recognized for her contributions to gospel music tomorrow at the third annual Caribbean Music Awards.

The event (which will be held at the Kings Theatre in Brooklyn) will feature explosive live performances and over 40 award categories celebrating Reggae, Soca, Gospel, Kompa, and more.

“I’m really honoured and blessed to be the recipient of this award … and I’m just so happy and proud… (to) represent my country Saint Lucia and most of all to represent God in ministering the word through my music,” Mayers said in an interview recently.

Mayers has had a long history of performing at local and regional events (she has performed at the Saint Lucia Jazz and Arts Festival) and has even been called “the Queen of gospel music”.

Other local artistes – Michael Robinson (French Caribbean Artiste of the Year), Shemmy J (Soca Impact Award), Dale Elliott (Entertainer of the Year – Comedian, DJ, Actor, Host),  and Daan Chorus (Dancehall Impact Award) were nominated this year.

The Saint Lucia Tourism Authority (SLTA), Executive Producers of the Saint Lucia Jazz and Arts Festival, also announced its participation at the event, where the festival was nominated for Music Event of the Year.

Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the SLTA, Louis Lewis, expressed enthusiasm about the nomination, emphasizing the wider impact of the creative sector: “This nomination is a proud moment for Saint Lucia and affirms the global recognition of the Saint Lucia Jazz & Arts Festival. We are optimistic about the festival’s continued growth, but more importantly, we remain deeply committed to supporting the Orange Economy, music, arts, and culture as pillars that fuel innovation, inspire communities, and create opportunities across the region.”

The SLTA says it is proud to support the Caribbean Music Awards as a Bronze Sponsor, reinforcing its commitment to platforms that empower Caribbean artistes and celebrate excellence in the creative industries.

“Adding to the excitement, two lucky individuals will have the chance to win an all-expenses-paid trip to the Saint Lucia Jazz & Arts Festival 2026 through a special Instagram contest, launched in collaboration with the Caribbean Music Awards and Secrets Saint Lucia. The contest is now open and will run until August 30, 2025, with winners announced on September 4, 2025,” the SLTA said in a statement.

The Caribbean Music Awards is being held to recognize individuals in the Caribbean who have made significant contributions to music, entertainment, sports and other fields.

“This will help to showcase the unique culture of each island and give us the opportunity to work collaboratively with many Caribbean brands, creatives, and entertainers,” caribmusicawards.com stated.

Furthermore, the website, added, “It is because of the immense talent in the Caribbean diaspora that we thought it imperative to award and spotlight the incredible talent and achievements of the past, celebrate present day contributors, and provide incentives to keep providing exceptional content, staying true to the rich culture and encourage innovation.”

This year, attendees can expect unforgettable performances, including surprise appearances by industry heavyweights spanning various genres.

The show will also feature captivating segments, including comedic acts and heartfelt video tributes honouring individuals who have played a pivotal role in elevating Caribbean culture on a global stage.

Kranium, Lady Lava, Romain Virgo and Skinny Fabulous (amongst others) will all be performing at the event. Bounty Killer, Busta Rhymes, Super Blue, Kerwin Dubois, Carimi, and the Sizzla Youth Foundation will also be honoured at the Caribbean Music Awards.