The Caribbean Music Awards belonged to Jamaica this year.
The 2026 ceremony, staged at NAPA in Port of Spain, Trinidad, had its official broadcast premiere on Sunday night, October 25, on the awards’ YouTube channel and TRACE Plus. When the trophies were handed out, Jamaican music ran the table across dancehall and reggae.
Shenseea took Female Dancehall Artist of the Year, and shared Dancehall Song and Collaboration of the Year for Shake It to the Max (FLY) Remix with MOLIY, Silent Addy and Skillibeng. Valiant was named Male Dancehall Artist of the Year, ahead of a field that included Vybz Kartel, Popcaan, Alkaline and Masicka.
Ding Dong took Dancehall Performer of the Year, and Masicka’s Rich Sex won Dancehall Video of the Year. Ayetian doubled up, winning Best New Dancehall Artist and the Dancehall Impact Award, and told the crowd it is all about the Caribbean.
Reggae Held Its Side
Lila Iké was named Female Reggae Artist of the Year, Buju Banton took Male Reggae Artist of the Year, and Chronixx won Reggae Album of the Year for Exile. Protoje’s BIG 45 took Reggae Song of the Year.
Patra received the Lifetime Achievement Award, one of the night’s biggest honours. Calypso Rose received the Elite Calypso Award to a standing ovation.
The one dancehall crown that left the island was Dancehall Album of the Year, which went to Trinidad’s own Prince Swanny for Saint, beating an all-Jamaican nominee list on the night Jamaica otherwise dominated.
Winners were confirmed against the official winners list reported by Billboard and World Music Views. The full results, performances and speeches are on Jamroc Nation today, and the debate is already running: which win meant the most, and who was robbed?
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