Caribbean Music Awards 2026 Delivers Landmark Elite Weekend in Trinidad & Tobago, Uniting Caribbean Music’s Biggest Voices, Global Media and a New Generation of Culture Shapers

The fourth annual Caribbean Music Awards (CMA) 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.

Under the 2026 theme “Sounds of the Caribbean,” 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. The weekend opened September 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. 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.

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 Friday, September 18, CMA 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. 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 The Honourable 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. Guests enjoyed light bites from KFC, refreshments from Angostura and hydration from Blue Waters.

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.

The 2026 CMA 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, 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.

WATCH BILLBOARD’S CMA 2026 RED CARPET EXPERIENCE ON YOUTUBE: [HERE]

OFFICIAL CMA 2026 RED CARPET PHOTOS: [HERE]

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.

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. 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

Bouyon Artist of the Year
Mr. Ridge

Bouyon Song of the Year
“Bouwéy” — 1T1 & Theomaa

CARIBBEAN FUSION

Caribbean Fusion Artist of the Year
Freetown Collective

CHUTNEY SOCA

Chutney Soca Artist of the Year
Ravi B

Chutney Soca Song of the Year
“Cyah Pick” — Lady Lava & Ravi B

DANCEHALL

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

Dancehall Video of the Year
“Rich Sex” — Masicka

DENNERY

Dennery Artist of the Year
Umpa

Dennery Song of the Year
“Dansa” — Klassik Frescobar

FRENCH CARIBBEAN

French Caribbean Artist of the Year
Joé Dwèt Filé

French Caribbean Song of the Year
“Ouba” — 1T1 & Theomaa

INTERNATIONAL DJ

Female International DJ of the Year
DJ Ana

Male International DJ of the Year
Ricky Platinum

JAB

Jab Artist of the Year
V’ghn

Jab Song of the Year
“Jab Decisions” — V’ghn & Terra D Governor

KONPA

Konpa Artist of the Year
Joé Dwèt Filé

Konpa Song of the Year
“4 Kampé” — Joé Dwèt Filé

LATIN CARIBBEAN

Latin Caribbean Artist of the Year
Bad Bunny

REGGAE

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 feat. Masicka

Reggae Impact Award
Keznamdi

Reggae Song of the Year
“BIG 45” — Protoje

SOCA

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

Zess Artist of the Year
Lady Lava

Zess Song of the Year
“Bob the Builder” — Lady Lava

SPECIAL HONORS

Global Ambassador Honor
Shyne

Elite Konpa Honor
Alan Cavé

Elite Calypso Honor
Calypso Rose

Lifetime Achievement Award
Patra

MUSIC & EVENTS

Music Cruise of the Year
UberSoca Cruise

Music Event of the Year
Reggae Fest: “Freedom Street” — CJ Milan

Music Festival of the Year
Saint Lucia Jazz & Arts Festival