The glitz and glamour of the 2025 Caribbean Music Awards (CMAs) were overshadowed by a controversy that has left fans, industry insiders, and one well-known artiste demanding answers.
Jamaican-born recording artist Kranium is speaking out after being stripped of the ‘Caribbean R&B Artist of the Year’ title, an award he was initially celebrated for during last month’s event in Brooklyn, New York.
Held on August 28 at the historic Kings Theatre and televised on BET on September 12th, the CMAs were positioned as a major platform to honour the best in Caribbean music across genres and regions, but the celebration took a sharp turn when confusion erupted over one of the event’s top R&B honours. Following the awards, fans and media outlets alike congratulated Kranium on what appeared to be a well-earned recognition in the Caribbean R&B space; however, that joy was short-lived.
A social media post from the official Caribbean Music Awards account listing the complete set of winners identified Dexta Daps, not Kranium, as the winner in the Caribbean Dancehall R&B Artist of the Year category. The post made no mention of Kranium at all, prompting confusion and speculation among fans.
Kranium later revealed that he had been informed privately by the organisers that the initial announcement of his win was a mistake; a clerical or procedural error that led to him being wrongfully awarded the title.
Taking to Instagram, Kranium did not mince words. In a pointed post to his fans and followers, he wrote: “Respect to everybody… nothing else to say… biggest violation ever and it shall be the last.”
The artist, known for hits like “Nobody Has to Know” and “Gal Policy,” also voiced his dismay over the silence from organisers, labelling the ordeal as blatant disrespect.
“It’s a major violation. I was awarded, I celebrated with fans, only to be told later it was an error. That’s not just a mix-up, that’s a disrespect,” he stated in a video post, which has since gone viral across social media platforms.
The CMAs, still in their early years, have been praised for creating a platform to amplify Caribbean talent on an international scale. However, this incident raises serious questions about transparency, professionalism, and accountability behind the scenes.
As of publication, the Caribbean Music Awards organisation has yet to release an official statement addressing the blunder, the reason for the mix-up, or whether Kranium will receive any formal apology or recognition.
Fans and industry professionals have taken to social media in support of Kranium, calling for greater transparency in the award process and more respect for artists who dedicate their lives to the craft.
For now, Kranium’s message is clear: he wants accountability, and he’s not staying silent.
