Caribbean Music Awards 2026 delivers landmark Elite Weekend in Trinidad & Tobago

The Caribbean Music Awards said on Monday, Sept. 28, that its fourth annual awards has officially concluded its inaugural Elite Weekend Experience in Trinidad & Tobago, bringing together more than 100 artists and creatives, international and regional media, industry professionals, cultural leaders, vendors, partners and audiences for three days of music, conversation, celebration and connection at the National Academy for the Performing Arts (NAPA) in Port-of-Spain, the Trinidad capital.

Under the 2026 theme “Sounds of the Caribbean,” CMA said that the weekend marked the first time the Caribbean Music Awards were staged in Trinidad & Tobago, “expanding the CMA experience into a destination-based celebration designed to spotlight the depth, diversity and global reach of Caribbean music and culture.” 

CMA said the weekend opened Sept. 17 with a series of industry conversations, including “Caribbean Music in the Global Space,” a forward-looking discussion that brought together perspectives from notable Caribbean change-makers including Kyle Denis of Billboard, PR executive and Island Music Conference founder Judith Bodley, CMA-nominated artist Keshav and others.

Among the topics explored was the future of Caribbean music and what global success should ultimately look like for the region’s artists and industry practitioners, CMA said. 

It said the conversation also examined how the industry can move beyond a survival economy, the challenges of scale facing small island markets, and whether greater regional unity across policy, infrastructure and industry development can help create a stronger global pathway for Caribbean music.

CMA said the discussion was one of several panels and industry conversations held throughout the Elite Weekend Experience, “creating space for artists, executives, media, creatives and other stakeholders to engage with the opportunities and challenges shaping the region’s music industry.” 

On Sept. 18, CMA said it welcomed artists, special guests, industry figures and partners to its first-ever Welcome Reception at NAPA, “transforming the venue’s Lobby, Foyer and Batimanzelle Room into an intimate gathering space ahead of the awards weekend.”

CMA said guests included Alison Hinds, Shyne, V’ghn, Yeza, Jimmy October, CHILLBILL and CMA host Majah Hype, among others. 

The evening also featured an official welcome from Satyakama Maharaj, Minister of Trade, Investment and Tourism, alongside members of the CMA founding team and key figures responsible for bringing the weekend to life, CMA said. 

It said Saturday’s awards-day experience began with a pre-show celebration featuring performances from Kristina James, Kris Kennedy, Sekon Sta, Star Martin, Kimba Sorzano and Rae, alongside DJ sets from One Gyal Army and DJ Tash.

CMA said the 2026 red carpet welcomed more than 50 press and media outlets representing Trinidad & Tobago, Jamaica, the United States, Canada, the French Caribbean, the United Kingdom and other international markets. 

Artists and personalities including Patra, Shyne, Alan Cavé, Kes, V’ghn,Moliy, Jessie Woo, Nelly Cottoy, Nailah Blackman, Lady Lava, Alison Hinds, 450, Ayetian, 1T1, Theomaa, Ras-I, Coutain, Anika Berry, RAE, KMAN, Lola Doll, Medz Boss, Khallion Klassik Frescobar, Full Blown, Jimmy October, Khallion, Mickael Marabou, Keshav and Yung Bredda, among others, walked the carpet.

Through its partnership with Trace, CMA said fans around the world were able to experience the CMA Red Carpet live on Trace+ and across Trace’s channels. Billboard, the CMA’s Official Global Media Partner, also streamed the Red Carpet Experience across Billboard TV, Amazon Fire TV, Samsung TV Plus and Billboard’s digital platforms, CMA said. 

It said the main Caribbean Music Awards 2026 followed at NAPA, hosted by Majah Hype and Nailah Blackman, with performances from 1T1, Theomaa, FreeTown Collective, Mela Caribe, Christo, Lil Kerry, V’ghn, 450, Jah Mason, Harmonik and Muddy. 

CMC said the evening also recognized some of the region’s most influential voices, with Patra receiving the Lifetime Achievement Award, Calypso Rose receiving the Elite Calypso Award, Alan Cavé receiving the Elite Konpa Award, and Shyne receiving the Global Ambassador Award. 

“The 2026 Caribbean Music Awards brought the full breadth of Caribbean music into focus, honoring the artists, songs and cultural forces driving the region’s sound forward,” CMA said. 

It said this year’s winners span generations, territories and genres, from Bouyon, Soca and Dancehall to Reggae, Konpa, Dennery, Zess and the French Caribbean, reflecting the expansive musical identity of the Caribbean and its global diaspora. 

The official 2026 Caribbean Music Awards winners are: Bouyon Artist of the Year: Mr. Ridge; Bouyon Song of the Year:  “Bouwéy” — 1T1 & Theomaa; Caribbean Fusion Artist of the Year: Freetown Collective; Chutney Soca Artist of the Year:  Ravi B; Chutney Soca Song of the Year:  “Cyah Pick” — Lady Lava & Ravi B; Female Dancehall Artist of the Year: Shenseea; Male Dancehall Artist of the Year: Valiant; Dancehall Album of the Year: Saint — Prince Swanny; Dancehall Best New Artist: Ayetian; Dancehall Collaboration of the Year: “Shake It to the Max (FLY) [Remix]” — MOLIY, Silent Addy, Skillibeng & Shenseea; Dancehall Impact Award: Ayetian; Dancehall Performer of the Year: Ding Dong; Dancehall Song of the Year: “Shake It to the Max (FLY) [Remix]” — MOLIY, Silent Addy, Skillibeng & Shenseea; and Dancehall Video of the Year: “Rich Sex” — Masicka.

Other winners: Dennery Song of the Year: “Dansa” — Klassik Frescobar; Dennery Artist of the Year: Umpa; French Caribbean Artist of the Year; Joé Dwèt Filé; French Caribbean Song of the Year: “Ouba” — 1T1 & Theomaa; Female International DJ of the Year: DJ Ana; Male International DJ of the Year: Ricky Platinum; Jab Artist of the Year: V’ghn; Jab Song of the Year: “Jab Decisions” — V’ghn & Terra D Governor; Konpa Artist of the Year: Joé Dwèt Filé; Konpa Song of the Year:  “4 Kampé” — Joé Dwèt Filé; and Latin Caribbean Artist of the Year: Bad Bunny. 

Additional winners: Female Reggae Artist of the Year: Lila Iké; Male Reggae Artist of the Year: Buju Banton; Reggae Album of the Year: Exile — Chronixx; Reggae Best New Artist: Cholita; Reggae Collaboration of the Year: “Romantic” — Lila Iké ft. Masicka; Reggae Impact Award

Keznamdi; Reggae Song of the Year: “BIG 45” — Protoje; Female Soca Artist of the Year: Lady Lava; Male Soca Artist of the Year: Kes; Soca Best New Artist: Coutain: Soca Collaboration of the Year: “Eskimo” — Trinidad Killa & Nicki Minaj; Soca Impact Award: Full Blown; Soca Performer of the Year: Kes; Soca Song of the Year:

“The Greatest Bend Over” — Yung Bredda & Full Blown; Soca Video of the Year: “Good Spirits” — Full Blown; Zess Artist of the Year: Lady Lava; Zess Song of the Year: “Bob the Builder” — Lady Lava; Music Cruise of the Year: UberSoca Cruise; Music Event of the Year: CJ Milan x Reggae Fest ‘The Return of Vybz Kartel’; Music Festival of the Year: Saint Lucia Jazz & Arts Festival; and People’s Choice Award: Alkaline.