Lt. Stitchie, Spragga Benz, Kabaka Pyramid And Ken Boothe Cop UK Caribbean Afro Music Awards
Lieutenant Stitchie, Ken Boothe, Spragga Benz and Kabaka Pyramid all copped awards on Saturday, at the inaugural UK-based Caribbean Afro Music Awards.
Stitchie, who will also be bestowed with Jamaica’s Order of Distinction next month on National Heroes Day, expressed his gratitude on his Instagram page for his two awards.
“Thanks to the CAMA AWARDS IN LONDON UK where tonight I just won “BEST REGGAE ALBUM OF THE YEAR AWARD – MASTERCLASS” and the Award for “BEST GOSPEL ACT OF THE YEAR 2021”, he noted in his first post.
In a subsequent video post, Stitchie also paid tribute to his fellow nominees, and expressed gratitude to the team involved in the production of the 17-track Masterclass, his 22nd album, which was released in 2019. That album featured artistes such as Agent Sasco, Fantan Mojah, Lukie D and Ricky Stereo and was declared by Stitchie as his “best work ever”.
“It is very important that I say thank you to my fellow nominees as well in this category of Best album of the Year. Julian Marley, Busy signal…Spragga Benz and Anthony B. Tonight we are all winners, but with the Masterclass album I was afforded the honour of going home with the award. Thanks to my team of musicians, producers, engineers, singers, distributors …Gramps Morgan and everyone on the drum and bass,” Stitchie, 55, stated.
“A special thank you to the CAMA awards for affording me this prestigious honour. Big up to all di fans dem inna di world that voted for me to win this category…,” he added.
The Governor also used the moment to gloat at those he claimed who were his detractors.
“And I can’t forget my miserable comforters, who have set up a voluntary organization to promote me. Thanks guys. This is what you have achieved,” he said, as he erupted in a laugh.
His “detractor” comment did not escape the attention of Spragga Benz who, adding to the sarcasm, chimed in: “😂😂😂 Nuff respect Governor … big up the PR team 😂😂’, to which Stitchie responded jeeringly: “Yes mi Artist😂😂I just have to encourage my miserable comforters for their excellent job.😂😂😂😂”
Gramps Morgan who co-produced the album also gave Stitchie his plaudits.
“It was a honor to be a part of this project and my dream to make music with you brother your a legend I celebrate you as child and till this day congratulations it’s an amazing album!!!” Gramps said.
Spragga Benz, who took the Best Dancehall Act award, also gave thanks to the London-based organisers on his IG page.
“Thanks to the Most High… to all fans who voted.. Thank you to #camamusicawards for the consideration. Respect to all other nominees.. SPRAGGA BENZ, BEST DANCEHALL ACT #givethanks,” the Chiliagon artiste wrote on IG.
Spragga, in turn, was also hailed by Stitchie who said he was most deserving of the award.
“Yes king, It’s mandatory that I express how elated I am to share and celebrate you enjoying the fruits of your labor. I know that you are a hard, but smart working Artiste who is still on the “JOURNEY CHOSEN”! Well deserved Award at the CAMA AWARDS more blessings to you in abundance. Job well done mi Bredda!,” Stitchie told Spragga, to which the ..artiste responded: “lt._stitchie, give thanks teacher 🙏🏾Congratulations are in Order of Distinction to you also.’
It was Well Done for Kabaka Pyramid who won the Best Reggae act for 2021, while Ken Boothe won the Lifetime Achievement Award.
“Honoured and thankful to @camawardsuk and all who voted for i&i as the #BestReggaeAct,” the Kontraband artiste noted on his IG page where he shared the post regarding his award.
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The Caribbean Afro Music Award is described as a dedicated award ceremony acknowledging and rewarding British and international talent from the Reggae, Dancehall, Soca, Afrobeats, Reggaetón, UK Afro-Swing and Gospel.
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According to its organizers, they are committed to creating a platform which embraces and values the culture and music. In addition, the goal of the awards is to be recognised as a leading awarding body for Caribbean and Afro Music and to become “one of the most important and influential events for the music makers and fans”.
The event is also geared at creating a new outlet to market, share, appreciate and reward the talented artistes, who are creating, producing and performing around the world by acknowledging and rewarding them for their contribution to African and Caribbean Music.
In addition, it is geared at uplifting people and embracing the culture to unite people from all backgrounds to provide the opportunity to work together, collaborate and support groups that are normally undervalued and underrepresented, according to the organizers.
“The Caribbean Afro Music Awards aka ‘CAMA’ is an opportunity for all those who love the music and culture and all of those who have supported us to come together and enjoy the rewards of our production,” they noted in a statement last year.
“With music evolving immensely over recent years; now being one of the largest exports, the platform is set to ‘showcase, embrace and demonstrate the power and influence black culture has in today’s society and bring people together,” it added.
The decision-making was taken by music fans who were given the opportunity to vote online at the beginning of December 2020, when they were invited by CAMA to register to pick their favourite artistes and band.
Among the list of nominees for Dancehall and Reggae, were artistes such as Busy Signal, Gyptian and Julian Marley.
The award categories were Best Reggae Act, Best Dancehall Act, Best Soca Act, Best Afrobeat’s Act, Best Reggaetón Act and Best Gospel Act, in addition to Best UK Act, Best Up N Coming, Best Album, Best Music Video, Best International Act, Best Producer and Best Disc Jockey.