From the continued domination of Full Blown’s “Big Links” riddim and Kes’ globe-trotting touring success to major moments like Destin Conrad’s Roadrunner reggae-dancehall LP and Keznamdi’s triumphant Grammy win, it’s been quite the year for Caribbean music and culture. To celebrate, the scene’s brightest and buzziest stars descended upon the National Academy for the Performing Arts (NAPA) in Port of Spain, Trinidad, for the fourth annual Caribbean Music Awards (Sept. 18). The official broadcast premiered on the official Caribbean Music Awards YouTube page on Oct. 25.
Co-hosted by soca princess Nailah Blackman and Majah Hype, the “King of Caribbean Comedy,” the ceremony featured special performances from 1T1, Theomaa, FreeTown Collective, Mela Caribe, Christo, Lil Kerry, V’ghn, 450, Jah Mason, Harmonik, Muddy and more. With the addition of several new categories honoring fast-rising genres like Dennery segment, jab and bouyon, this year’s Caribbean Music Awards truly captured the breadth of the region’s sounds and styles.
Taking place in its namesake region for the first time this year, Trinidad & Tobago dominated the ceremony, with zess superstar Lady Lava taking home trophies and dancehall artist Prince Swanny beating out an all-Jamaican lineup to secure the dancehall album of the year award for his Saint LP. Several other Trinbagonian stars took home some hardware, including Kes and Ravi B.
Billboard’s Kyle Denis hosted a red carpet livestream on the ground in Trinidad, catching up with a bevy of stars, including Ayetian, Jessie Woo and Moliy. Inside NAPA, attendees were treated to a gorgeous stage that featured performances from legends like Haitian konpa superstar Alan Cavé and younger acts like 450 and Mela Caribe. Blackman opened the show with an ethereal, tightly choreographed staging of her new single “Lova Gyal,” while FreeTown Collective held it down for live music with their instrument-driven set.
Several Caribbean music giants were honored for their impact and influence. Billboard Hot 100-charting reggae and dancehall powerhouse Patra scored the Lifetime Achievement Award; global music icon Calypso Rose received the Elite Calypso Award; Cavé earned the Elite Konpa Award; and hip-hop giant Shyne took home the Global Ambassador Award.
Here are the six best moments from the 2026 Caribbean Music Awards.
