Beenie Man, Bounty Killer & Buju Banton Mash Up di IRAWMA 2025 inna South Florida
The 42nd annual International Reggae and World Music Awards (IRAWMA) lit up South Florida on March 30, 2025, turning the Coral Springs Center for the Arts into the epicenter of reggae royalty. With legends and newcomers alike walking the red carpet, this year’s ceremony proved once again that reggae’s heartbeat is as strong as ever—and three titans of Jamaican music stole the spotlight.
Buju Banton: Emperor Energy
Buju Banton, a towering figure in reggae, was crowned with the night’s most prestigious honor: The Emperor of Reggae & World Music – Hon. Bob Marley Award for Entertainer of the Year. His unmistakable voice, conscious lyrics, and relentless drive earned him yet another title to cement his legacy. As if that weren’t enough, he also walked away with Best Male DJ/Rapper, proving that even decades into his career, the Gargamel is still setting standards most artists can only aspire to reach.
Buju response upon receiving his award:
“Di music cyaan stale, cyaan water down. Reggae a di voice of di sufferer, di soul of di island. An mi deh yah fi carry it pon mi back same way.”
Beenie Man: King of the Stage
Dancehall’s Doctor, Beenie Man, reminded the world that when it comes to performance, he’s still in a class of his own. He snagged the award for Best Dancehall Stagecraft Entertainer—a fitting tribute to his unmatched energy, choreography, and crowd command. He also took home Best Caribbean Entertainer, flexing his international appeal and ability to keep fans grooving from Kingston to Tokyo.
Beenie Man response:
Mi still deh yah, still tun up, still a di King! Dancehall cyan dead when mi still a prescribe di cure!”
Bounty Killer: Warrior with a Cause
The Warlord, Bounty Killer, came in hot with two major honors. His cross-continental collab “Commando” with Ghanaian dancehall artist Shatta Wale scored him the Best Crossover Song—a perfect example of how dancehall keeps evolving globally. More than just music, Bounty also received the Marcus Garvey Humanitarian Award, recognizing his long-standing commitment to uplifting communities through charity and mentorship. Killer by name, but clearly a healer by action.
Bounty Killer’s response:
“Mi nuh do dis fi likes or hype—mi do dis fi di people! From di ghetto to di globe, mi mission stay di same: uplift, educate, an shell di place wid realness.”
Why South Florida?
Holding IRAWMA in South Florida isn’t just about location—it’s about connection. The region’s vibrant Caribbean diaspora turns out strong every year, reflecting the global spread and influence of reggae and dancehall. With fans flying in and stars showing up in style, the 2025 show was as much a cultural celebration as it was an awards night.
Legacy in Motion
With their victories at IRAWMA 2025, Beenie Man, Bounty Killer, and Buju Banton have not only added new hardware to their trophy cases but have reminded the world of their continued relevance, creativity, and heart. These aren’t just awards—they’re affirmations that these icons are still writing history, still shaping culture, and still flying the reggae flag high.
Now are you ready to hear some of the sounds that made these 3 musical icons a giant in reggae dancehall?
Let’s listen to one of my all-time favorites, by Buju Banton because he is a champion.
