New York, NY (June 10, 2026) The countdown begins as the Caribbean Music Awards returns for its highly anticipated fourth annual celebration, delivering its most expansive and electrifying edition yet, spotlighting the artists, songs, and cultural innovators shaping the global sound of Caribbean music. Additional details about the event and date will be announced soon.

This year marks a major milestone with over 250 nominees across more than 40 categories, reflecting the rapid global rise, diversity, and creative expansion of Caribbean music. Voting officially opens today, June 10, 2026, and will remain open through August 10, 2026, giving fans worldwide an extended opportunity to support their favorite artists, songs, and cultural icons. Voting and full details are available at caribmusicawards.com.

Building on its commitment to cultural expansion and genre inclusivity, the Awards introduces a powerful slate of nine new and expanded categories spotlighting Dennery Artist and Song of the Year, Zess Song of the Year, Konpa Song of the Year, Chutney Soca Artist and Song of the Year, Jab Artist and Song of the Year, and French Caribbean Song of the Year. These additions further solidify the Caribbean Music Awards as the most comprehensive platform celebrating the full spectrum of Caribbean sound.

This year’s nominations tell a defining story of a rapidly evolving musical landscape driven by collaboration, genre-fluidity, and global crossover success. Leading the artist field is Lady Lava, who emerges as the most nominated artist with nine nominations, reflecting her rare cross-genre presence across Soca, Zess, Chutney Soca, and performance categories.

Close behind is a tightly packed group of dominant forces shaping the year’s soundscape, with Ayetian, Machel Montano, and V’ghn each securing seven nominations, underscoring their wide-ranging impact across Dancehall, Soca, and collaboration-heavy categories. Shenseea and Skillibeng follow with six nominations each, while Masicka,Popcaan, Valiant, Vybz Kartel, and Yung Bredda each earn five nominations, reinforcing the continued global dominance and cultural influence of Dancehall and Soca’s leading voices.

A strong second tier of consistent contenders also emerges with Full Blown, Jesse Royal, Joé Dwèt Filé, Kes, Lila Iké, Lola Doll, Mical Teja, Mikado, and Voice, each earning four nominations, highlighting the depth and competitive balance across genres including Reggae, Soca, Konpa, Zess, and French Caribbean music.

On the song side, “Shake It to the Max (Fly) Remix” by Moliy, Skillibeng, Shenseea & Silent Addy leads the 2026 field as the most nominated song of the year, earning three nominations across multiple categories, the highest total for any single track. Its cross-category strength highlights its broad cultural reach across Dancehall, collaboration, and visual recognition, cementing it as one of the defining records of the year.

Following closely, a group of standout records each earned multiple nominations across the field, including “Wah Yo Deh Pon,” “Passenger Princess,” “Jab Decisions,” and “4 Kampé II.”  Together, these tracks represent a strong tier of nominations and reflect a year defined by collaboration, genre fusion, and regional crossover success.

From Soca and Dancehall to Reggae, Konpa, Chutney, Zess, Dennery, and beyond, the Caribbean Music Awards continues to stand as more than an awards ceremony. It is a global cultural movement celebrating the heartbeat, innovation, and worldwide resonance of Caribbean music. The platform amplifies both established icons and emerging voices, connecting Caribbean culture to audiences across the world through sound, storytelling, and shared identity.

Building on the momentum of last year’s ceremony, an historic edition that premiered on BET for the first time and marked a major breakthrough moment for the Awards on global television, the Caribbean Music Awards continues its rapid rise as a premier international platform for Caribbean excellence. That milestone broadcast expanded the Awards’ global reach and firmly established it as a cultural force recognized far beyond the region.

(DOWNLOAD CARIBBEAN MUSIC AWARDS 2025 HI-RES PHOTOS BY NITIKA SMALL HERE) 

Fans, industry professionals, and music lovers worldwide are encouraged to visit CaribMusicAwards.com starting today, June 10, 2026 to view the full nominee list and cast their votes. Voting will close on August 10, 2026. Stay connected for updates by following @CaribMusicAwards and @CaribbeanEliteMagazine on Instagram and Facebook, and @CaribMusicAwardson TikTok.

CARIBBEAN MUSIC AWARDS NOMINATIONS 2026 LIST: NOMINEES BY CATEGORY

People’s Choice

1. Alkaline
2. Dexta Daps
3. Kes
4. Lady Lava
5. Shenseea
6. Vybz Kartel
7. Voice
8. Yung Bredda

French Caribbean — Artist of the Year

1. Aya Nakamura
2. Bamby
3. Blaiz Fayah
4. Joé Dwèt Filé
5. Kalash
6. Maureen
7. Meryl
8. Mikado

French Caribbean — Song of the Year

1. “Baddies” — Aya Nakamura
2. “Batche a Boy” — Kryssy
3. “Coco Chanel” — Meryl & EVA
4. “Kaddryo” — Kalash & Sleazy Stereo
5. “Menti” — N’Ken & Mikado
6. “Ouba” — 1T1 & Theomaa
7. “Shotta Confessions” — Meryl & N’Ken
8. “Up and Down” — Kryssy & Foxii

Reggae — Album of the Year

1. BLXXD & FYAH — Keznamdi
2. Exile — Chronixx
3. Feeling Irie — Glen Washington
4. God and I — I-Octane
5. Jamdown — Sanchez
6. No Place Like Home — Jesse Royal
7. Treasure Self Love — Lila Iké
8. Weekend Dude — Duane Stephenson

Reggae — Song of the Year

1. “Big 45” — Protoje
2. “Good Music” — Anthony B
3. “Jamaica Strong” — Aiesha
4. “So High” — Jesse Royal & Agent Sasco
5. “The Door” — Zion Marley
6. “Til A Mawnin” — Shaggy & Sting
7. “Wife and Sweetheart” — Christopher Martin

Male Reggae — Artist of the Year

1. Beres Hammond
2. Buju Banton
3. Christopher Martin
4. Chronixx
5. Damian Marley
6. Romain Virgo
7. Shaggy
8. Tarrus Riley

Female Reggae — Artist of the Year

1. Alaine
2. Etana
3. Koffee
4. Lila Iké
5. Queen Omega
6. Sevana
7. Tanya Stephens
8. Tessanne Chin

Reggae — Impact Award

1. Aiesha
2. Jah9
3. Joby Jay
4. Keznamdi
5. Ras-I
6. Royal Blu
7. Sevana

Reggae — Best New Artist

1. Cholita
2. Khalia
3. Nesta
4. Rani Rastaciti
5. Rik Jam
6. Yeza
7. Zagga

Reggae — Collaboration of the Year

1. Etana, Beenie Man & Kemar McGregor — “Guide Over Us”
2. Friends Only, Jesse Royal, MediSun & Beres Hammond — “Born in Jamaica”
3. Jesse Royal & Agent Sasco — “So High”
4. Lila Iké & Masicka — “Romantic”
5. Lila Iké & Protoje — “All Over the World”
6. Shaggy & Sting — “Til A Mawnin”
7. Tyla & Sean Paul — “Push 2 Start (Remix)”

Dancehall — Album of the Year

1. Her Name Is Love — Masicka
2. Nothing Without God — Popcaan
3. Pieces of Me — 450
4. Prove Them Wrong — Valiant
5. Saint — Prince Swanny
6. The Impact — Armanii
7. Viking — Vybz Kartel
8. From Ding Dong to World Ding — Ding Dong

Dancehall — Song of the Year

1. “BBB (Snapchat)” — Armanii
2. “G.A.D” — Jada Kingdom
3. “God Is the Greatest” — Vybz Kartel
4. “Passenger Princess (Story Book Riddim)” — Valiant
5. “Rich Sex (Story Book Riddim)” — Masicka
6. “Shake It to the Max (Remix)” — Moliy, Skillibeng & Shenseea
7. “Wah Yo Deh Pon” — Ayetian & Govana
8. “WYFL” — Skippa

Female Dancehall — Artist of the Year

1. Jada Kingdom
2. Shaneil Muir
3. Shenseea
4. Spice
5. Stalk Ashley
6. Vanessa Bling

Dancehall — Performer of the Year

1. Dexta Daps
2. Ding Dong
3. Skillibeng
4. Popcaan
5. Shenseea
6. Skeng
7. Spice
8. Valiant

Dancehall — Impact Award

1. Ayetian
2. D’yani
3. Kman 6ixx
4. Malie Donn
5. Nigy Boy
6. Rajah Wild
7. Skippa
8. Stalk Ashley

Dancehall — Collaboration of the Year

1. Ayetian & Govana — “Wah Yo Deh Pon”
2. Ayetian & Skillibeng — “Tip (Remix)”
3. Ding Dong & Vanessa Bling — “Glory”
4. Moliy, Shenseea & Skillibeng — “Shake It to the Max (Fly) [Remix]”
5. Popcaan & Chronic Law — “Kick It Wid Myself”
6. Skillibeng & Vybz Kartel — “New Gear”

Dancehall — Best New Artist

1. Ayetian
2. Jamal
3. Khandi Brawling
4. Likkle Addi
5. Najeeriii
6. Nhance
7. Skippa

Dancehall — Video of the Year

1. “Shake It to the Max (Fly) [Remix]” — Moliy, Skillibeng & Shenseea
2. “Pretty Crew” — Popcaan
3. “Passenger Princess” — Valiant
4. “Pretty Rockstar” — Kraff
5. “Rich Sex” — Masicka
6. “Waste Har Time” — Aidonia

Male Dancehall — Artist of the Year

1. 450
2. Alkaline
3. Armanii
4. Ayetian
5. Masicka
6. Popcaan
7. Valiant
8. Vybz Kartel

Male Soca — Artist of the Year

1. Bunji Garlin
2. Full Blown
3. Kes
4. Machel Montano
5. Mical Teja
6. V’ghn
7. Voice
8. Yung Bredda

Soca — Song of the Year

1. “Carry It” — Bunji Garlin
2. “Cocoa Tea” — Kes
3. “Dansa” — Klassik Frescobar
4. “Good Spirits” — Full Blown
5. “Jab Decisions” — V’ghn & Terra D Governor
6. “Pardy” — Machel Montano
7. “Take Me Home” — Freetown Collective
8. “The Greatest Bend Over” — Yung Bredda

Soca — Performer of the Year

1. Kes
2. Lady Lava
3. Machel Montano
4. Killa
5. Nadia Batson
6. Patrice Roberts
7. V’ghn
8. Voice

Soca — Collaboration of the Year

1. Machel Montano & Ayetian — “Truth & Balance”
2. Machel Montano & Davido — “Fling It Up”
3. Skinny Fabulous, Travis World & Suhrawh — “Can You Bend”
4. Trinidad Killa & Nicki Minaj — “Eskimo”
5. V’ghn & Terra D Governor — “Jab Decisions”
6. Voice & Bunji Garlin — “Flatten”
7. GBM & Nailah Blackman — “Tay Lay Lay”

Soca — Impact Award

1. Coutain
2. Freetown Collective
3. Full Blown
4. Lady Lava
5. Mical Teja
6. Star Martin
7. Trinidad Killa
8. V’ghn

Soca — Video of the Year

1. Full Blown — “Good Spirits”
2. Machel Montano — “Pardy”
3. Nadia Batson — “Pieces”
4. Patrice Roberts — “Rock So”
5. Mical Teja — “Last Train”
6. Mical Teja — “Home”
7. Coutain x Tano — “Jamtown”

Soca — Best New Artist

1. Omaiah Hall
2. Coutain
3. Aaron Duncan
4. Kisha Kay 5. RAE
5. Imani Ray
6. Christo
7. Hunter

Female Soca — Artist of the Year

1. Anika Berry
2. Fay-Ann Lyons
3. Lady Lava
4. Nadia Batson
5. Nailah Blackman
6. Patrice Roberts
7. Faith Callender

Konpa — Artist of the Year

1. Harmonik
2. Joé Dwèt Filé
3. Kai
4. T-Vice
5. Vayb
6. Rutshelle

Konpa — Song of the Year

1. “4 Kampé II (Remix)” — Joé Dwèt Filé & Burna Boy
2. “Bezwen Ou” — Fridayy & Joé Dwèt Filé
3. “Ban’m Tout Afe’m” — Harmonik & Kenny Haiti
4. “Can’t Get Over You” — Rutshelle Guillaume
5. “Ti Manmi” — L-Won
6. “Kimoun Ou Ye” — Teddy Hashtag & L-Won
7. “Pye Sou Kou” — Charlin Bato
8. “500% Gouyad” — Deejay MJ, ColMix & DDKeyz

Bouyon — Artist of the Year

1. 1T1
2. BRG Hollywood
3. Dirty Dawg Pudaz
4. Asa Bantan
5. Ridge
6. Reo
7. Shelly & Signal Band
8. Trilla G

Bouyon — Song of the Year

1. “Bouwey” — 1T1 ft. Theomaa
2. “Bye to the Old Me” — Shelly & Signal Band
3. “La Vie Doux” — Reo & Téhilah
4. “Put That on That” — Khallion
5. “Sé Miimii” — Miimii
6. “Shake Something” — Dirty Dawg Pudaz
7. “Take Me as I Am” — Trilla G
8. “Time 2 Grind” — BRG Hollywood

Dennery — Artist of the Year

1. Blackboy
2. Deejay ASAP
3. Dezral
4. Jardel
5. Mighty
6. Nerdy
7. Umpa

Dennery — Song of the Year

1. “Clap” — Blackboy
2. “Dansa” — Klassik Frescobar
3. “Freak Out” — Hollywood HP & Ricky T
4. “Life of Party” — Pimp Juice
5. “Nuh Nuh” — Mighty & Mikado
6. “Pain Killer” — Umpa & Mikado
7. “The Car” — Dezral & Jardel
8. “Toko Doak” — Natoxie & Deejay Asap

Zess — Artist of the Year

1. Father Phillis
2. Lady Lava
3. Lola Doll
4. Nelly Cottoy
5. Sackie
6. Tempa
7. Trinidad Killa
8. Yung Bredda

Zess — Song of the Year

1. “All Riders” — Tempa
2. “Bob the Builder” — Lady Lava
3. “Come Downstairs” — Lola Doll
4. “It Pinching” — Lola Doll
5. “Send It Up” — Lola Doll, Shawn Storm & Lady Lava
6. “So D Badness Go” — Sackie & Selecta Gas
7. “Who Studying You” — Sackie

Jab — Artist of the Year

1. Capital Jab
2. Dred Lion
3. Jab King
4. Khalifah
5. Lil Kerry
6. Muddy
7. Tallpree
8. V’ghn

Jab — Song of the Year

1. “Bury All” — Lil Kerry
2. “Capital Anthem” — Dirty Dog & Capital Jab
3. “Do for Do” — Tallpree & Smokie
4. “Doh Come for Dah” — Dash
5. “Grease It” — Dred Lion
6. “Jab Decisions” — V’ghn & Terra
7. “Payroll Xpert” — Muddy
8. “Same Boat” — Khalifah, MC Straker & Greg Boss

Caribbean Fusion — Artist of the Year

1. ChillBill
2. Freetown Collective
3. Jimmy October
4. Mickael Marabou
5. Monéa
6. Naïka
7. Skip Marley
8. Umpa

Latin Caribbean — Artist of the Year

1. Bad Bunny
2. El Alfa
3. Jey One
4. Kruziano
5. La Pana
6. Prince Royce
7. Romeo Santos
8. Shakira

Female International DJ of the Year

1. DJ Ana
2. DJ Bambii
3. DJ Charlotte
4. DJ Lady Drea
5. DJ Nikki Z
6. DJ Nunu
7. DJ One Gyal Army
8. DJ Primadonna
9. DJ Tash
10. DJ Vybz Empress

Male International DJ of the Year

1. Dee Jay Punz & Selectah Renzo
2. DJ Avalanche
3. DJ Kevin Crown
4. DJ Puffy
5. DJ Osocity
6. DJ Ovadose
7. DJ Private Ryan
8. DJ Ricky Platinum
9. DJ Stakz
10. DJ Travis

Music Festival of the Year

1. Barbados Reggae Weekend
2. Dream Weekend 3. Reggae Land
3. Reggae Sumfest
4. Saint Lucia Jazz & Arts Festival
5. SANDZ Caribbean Music Festival
6. Kitts Music Festival

Music Event of the Year

1. “Artform” — Nadia Batson
2. “Bayo” — Michaël Brun
3. Brunch and Soca
4. “I Am Woman” — Patrice Roberts
5. “Reggae Fest: The Return of Bounty Killer” — Barclays Center
6. “Reggae Fest” — Vybz Kartel at Barclays Center
7. Rise & Toast
8. Soca Brainwash
9. Stink & Dutty

Music Cruise of the Year

1. Epic Carnival Cruise
2. Feteopia Cruise
3. JamRock Cruise
4. Love & Harmony Cruise
5. UberSoca Cruise

Chutney Soca Artist of the Year

1. Drupatee
2. Ki and The Band
3. Rasika Dindial
4. Ravi B
5. Raymond Ramnarine
6. Tony Cuttz
7. Vanita Willie
8. Vicadi Singh

Chutney Soca Song of the Year

1. “Celebrate Life” — Vicadi Singh
2. “Cya Pick” — Ravi B & Lady Lava
3. “Hot” — Ravi B & Yung Bredda
4. “Loan” — Ki and The Band
5. “More Gari (Remix)” — Ashni Matadin & Raymond Ramnarine
6. “Pepper Vine” — Machel Montano, Lady Lava, DJ Private Ryan, Drupatee & Jus Now
7. “Pong D Damadol” — Rasika Dindial

About the Caribbean Music Awards

The Caribbean Music Awards celebrates the exceptional talent, creativity, and impact of Caribbean music. It recognizes outstanding artists, producers, and industry professionals who have significantly contributed to the Caribbean music landscape.

#CaribbeanMusicAwards #caribbeanEliteMagazine

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Caribbean Music Awards Global Media Contact

Paul Thom – The Thom Brand  paul@thethombrand.com