On Sunday, September 28, 2025, the Rose Theatre in Brampton got here alive with the rhythmic pulse of Jamaican roots, dancehall and trap-fusion beats because the second annual Reggae North Music Awards (RNMA) celebrated excellence in Canada’s reggae and dancehall music group. The night was marked by magnificence, stellar performances, and the heat of a rising, supportive group.
From the pink carpet to the closing act, the occasion exuded polish and fervour. Friends arrived of their best apparel, native companies and sponsors lined the venue with vibrant assist, and the MCs guided the circulation with poise. The vitality was excessive, the performances had been electrical, and each second underscored the mission: to raise and unite reggae and dancehall tradition throughout Canada.
One of many night’s most poignant moments got here when Nana McLean and Carl “Grandmaster Rosa” Inexperienced had been every awarded the Dwelling Legend Award, for his or her decades-long contributions to reggae and dancehall tradition in Canada. McLean, typically celebrated because the “Queen of Canadian Reggae,” has impressed generations along with her voice, authenticity, and longevity. Rosa Inexperienced, a stalwart within the sound-system and efficiency scene, has stored the fireplace of dancehall alive in Canada’s membership and social gathering circuits. A particular tribute was additionally made to the late Leroy Gibbons who handed away lately.
However the evening wasn’t nearly retrospection — it was additionally concerning the future. Kairo McLean and Justice Kumari lit up the stage, showcasing the subsequent wave of Canadian reggae expertise. Paris Ivy from Montreal, nominated in three classes, and 12-year-old Jazmin Headley, each accepted accolades and took the stage to current awards.
A number of the standout awardees from the 2025 RNMA:
- Album of the Yr: Born to Be Free by Exco Levi
- Entertainer of the Yr: Ammoye
- Male Vocalist of the Yr: Steele
- Feminine Vocalist of the Yr: Ammoye
- Reggae Single of the Yr (Male): “Chosen” — Inoah
- Reggae Single of the Yr (Feminine): “How Lengthy” — Blk Orchid
- Dancehall Single of the Yr (Male): “Unhealthy Man Rock” — Trueace
- Dancehall Single of the Yr (Feminine): “Cash Bounx” — Tiffanie Malvo
- Lure/Fusion Single of the Yr (Male): “Karma” — Skystar
- Lure/Fusion Single of the Yr (Feminine): “Cashy” — Kae Music
- Songwriter of the Yr: Neto Yuth
- Producer of the Yr: Tim Dubb
- Video of the Yr: Inoah
- Radio DJ of the Yr: Spex Da Boss
- Dancehall Selector of the Yr: Chippy Don
- Membership/Celebration Selector of the Yr: Blaxz Dun Da Place
- Group of the Yr: Rayzalution
(Full winners checklist as launched by RNMA.)
These outcomes mirror a stability between respect for legacy and encouragement for modern voices.
Organizers acknowledged that with success comes accountability. Whereas the occasion ran easily for probably the most half, additionally they famous areas for enchancment — technical glitches, scheduling refinements, and logistical changes. However the spirit was optimistic: every year brings classes, stronger relationships, and better aspirations.
Submissions to RNMA have grown, particularly from outdoors Ontario. In 2025, the Lure/Fusion Male winner Skystar hails from Edmonton, Alberta — a testomony to the attain of Canadian reggae tradition. The attendance was notably bigger, native enterprise assist deeper, and curiosity in future occasions stronger than ever. Civic leaders, together with the Consul Basic of Jamaica, regional councillors, and Brampton’s mayor pledged continued backing, signaling recognition at institutional ranges.
Past trophies and speeches, the 2025 Reggae North Music Awards was a celebration of group. Behind each artist was a community of producers, managers, caterers, volunteers, MCs, sponsors, and followers — every indispensable to the success of the night. Their dedication was evident in each element: from the circulation of this system to the vibrancy of the pink carpet, from flawless performances to heartfelt tributes.
The truth that the occasion has solely grown in its second 12 months speaks to its necessity. Canada’s reggae and dancehall group is neither marginal nor area of interest — it’s wealthy, numerous, and evolving. RNMA 2025 did greater than hand out awards: it affirmed a cultural id, created connections, and set the stage for what comes subsequent.
Because the evening wound down, the message was clear: there may be extra work forward, however with unity, ardour, and inventive braveness, Canada’s reggae and dancehall tradition will proceed to thrive. Right here’s to the winners, the visionaries, the backstage heroes — and to many extra nights like this one.
