The Caribbean Music Awards made its Caribbean debut on Saturday 19 September, bringing the ceremony to the National Academy for the Performing Arts (NAPA) in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago.
After three editions in Brooklyn, New York, the fourth annual awards ceremony took place in the region for the first time as part of the Caribbean Music Awards Elite Weekend Experience, held from 18 to 20 September. The weekend included the awards ceremony, performances, a red carpet event and after-parties.
The 2026 ceremony recognised artists across soca, dancehall, reggae, bouyon, konpa, chutney soca, zess and jab. More than 250 nominees competed across more than 40 categories, with several awards going to artists from Trinidad and Tobago.
SOCA ACTS AMONG THE NIGHT’S WINNERS
Soca and its related genres enjoyed a strong showing throughout the Caribbean Music Awards 2026, with several artists collecting multiple honours.
Kes was among the biggest winners of the evening, taking both Male Soca Artist of the Year and Soca Performer of the Year.
Lady Lava also enjoyed a standout night, securing Female Soca Artist of the Year, Zess Artist of the Year and Zess Song of the Year for Bob the Builder. She added a fourth accolade through Cyah Pick, which won Chutney Soca Song of the Year alongside Ravi B.
Ravi B further strengthened his position within the genre after being named Chutney Soca Artist of the Year.
Emerging talent Coutain continued his impressive rise by claiming Soca Best New Artist, while Trinidad Killa and Nicki Minaj earned Soca Collaboration of the Year for Eskimo.
Production team Full Blown claimed the Soca Impact Award and contributed to two additional winning projects. The Greatest Bend Over by Yung Bredda & Full Blown won Soca Song of the Year, while Good Spirits received Soca Video of the Year.
Elsewhere, Freetown Collective was named Caribbean Fusion Artist of the Year, while Grenadian artist V’ghn secured both Jab Artist of the Year and Jab Song of the Year for Jab Decisions, shared with Terra D Governor.
Jamaica’s Ayetian won Dancehall Best New Artist, while Dominica’s Mr. Ridge was named Bouyon Artist of the Year.
MOLIY MAKES HISTORY FOR GHANA
Ghanaian singer Moliy became the first Ghanaian artist to win a Caribbean Music Award.
She received three nominations for Shake It to the Max (Fly) Remix, featuring Shenseea, Skillibeng and Silent Addy. The song was nominated for Dancehall Song of the Year, Dancehall Collaboration of the Year and Dancehall Video of the Year.
Moliy won Dancehall Song of the Year and shared Dancehall Collaboration of the Year honours for the track. For Shenseea, the victory marked another successful year following her 2025 success with Hit & Run, recorded with Masicka and Di Genius.
CARIBBEAN LEGENDS HONOURED
The ceremony also recognised four influential figures from Caribbean music.
Calypso Rose received the Elite Calypso Honour, while Alan Cavé received the Elite Konpa Honour.
Jamaican dancehall star Patra received the Lifetime Achievement Honour, while rapper Shyne was presented with the Global Ambassador Honour.
A WEEKEND FOR CARIBBEAN MUSIC
The 2026 edition expanded into a three-day programme in Port of Spain, bringing together artists, fans and music industry professionals from across the region.
Performers at the ceremony included V’ghn, Freetown Collective, 450, Jah Mason, 1T1 and Theomaa.
The event was sponsored by Visit Trinidad, with Nailah Blackman and Majah Hype serving as co-hosts.
Moving the ceremony from Brooklyn to Trinidad and Tobago placed the awards in the Caribbean for the first time, bringing the event closer to the artists and genres it celebrates. The 2026 ceremony featured winners from Trinidad and Tobago, Grenada, Jamaica, Dominica and Ghana.
