5 days ago
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Belizean recording artist, former Music Ambassador and political leader Shyne Barrow has added another prestigious accolade to his career after receiving the 2026 Global Ambassador Award at the Caribbean Music Awards held in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago. The award recognises Shyne’s influence as an internationally acclaimed artist who helped bring Caribbean music to audiences around the world, while also acknowledging his work as a public servant and advocate for Belize and the wider Caribbean. This year’s ceremony was historic, marking the first time the Caribbean Music Awards were hosted in the region after previously being held in New York. Accepting the honour, Shyne said the recognition from his fellow Caribbean people means more to him than any other international award.
Moses “Shyne” Barrow, Belizean Musician: “It means everything to me to get this honour. For me, certainly being recognized by my peers is always something that is fulfilling and satisfying. Being recognized as a global ambassador is ironic because when the Government of Belize in 2010 appointed me Goodwill Ambassador of Music and Culture due to politics and partisanship there were people that objected and were offended but respectfully you know I sold over 40 million records. There’s no Belizean that has ever enjoyed the type of commercial success that I have and the accolades and accomplishment spoke for themselves then but I am just happy that an entity with credibility such as the Caribbean Music Awards outside of Belize, nothing to do with UDP or PUP, has recognized the work that I have been doing for 30 years. This 2027 coming up will make 30 years that I have been in the music industry.”
Shyne first rose to international prominence in the early 2000s with his platinum-selling debut album and later collaborated with some of the biggest names in hip-hop. In recent years, he has transitioned into public service while continuing to represent Belize on the international stage. Reflecting on his journey, Shyne said the award represents much more than a personal achievement, describing it as proof that perseverance can overcome even life’s greatest challenges.
Moses “Shyne” Barrow, Belizean Musician: “Well, I dedicated my honor to the youth out there. I dedicated it to my mother who struggled. And she was mother and father along with my granny Esme God bless her soul, dedicated to my daughter, Naomi, who I love so much. And I dedicated it to Belize who I do everything to serve. But in particular the youth in Belize, that young Shyne boy or girl that is from a single parent home, that is facing poverty, facing hopelessness, facing all of the perils that inner city youth face, whether in rural areas or southside of Belize poverty does not discriminate and never giving up, refusing to give up, because that is the only thing that has me here before you with this honor, that has me here before you doing things that have never been done before, setting precedents and tearing down barriers is because I never gave up. I could have given up so many times. Life has been so hard. I lived through hell and the heaven that you see me enjoying today, still without doubt ups and downs, it’s because I never gave up. I show up every day. So that that is my message to youth. Shyne is not special. Shyne just never give up. So, the special that is within all of us, that you enjoy as well, you don’t get to it if you give up.”
The recognition comes as Shyne continues his return to the stage with his “2622 LGND” tour and serves as another proud moment for Belize, placing the country in the international spotlight and celebrating the achievements of one of its most recognised cultural figures
English (US) ·