PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad and Tobago — Kes and Lady Lava emerged among the major winners at the 2026 Caribbean Music Awards, as the annual celebration of Caribbean music and culture made its debut in Trinidad and Tobago.
Kes took home the Male Soca Artist of the Year award, while Lady Lava was named Female Soca Artist of the Year at the ceremony, held at the National Academy for the Performing Arts (NAPA) in Port of Spain.
The 2026 staging marked the first time the Caribbean Music Awards were held in Trinidad and Tobago. The event was sponsored by Visit Trinidad.
Lady Lava entered the ceremony as the most-nominated artist of the year and also won Zess Artist Of The Year.
Ayetian was one of the few dancehall artistes making the trip to Trinidad and Tobago, and he secured his first Caribbean Music Award as Best New Artist.
Among the night’s other notable winners was Grenadian jab artiste V’ghn, who captured Jab Artist of the Year. The award adds another regional honour to the career of the Grenada-based soca artiste.
Moliy became the first Ghanaian artist to win a Caribbean Music Award as the hit maker received 3 nominations for her remix of “Shake It to the Max (Fly)” featuring Skillibeng, Shenseea, and Silent Addy (Dancehall Song, Dancehall Collaboration, and Dancehall Video of the Year).
The regional categories also highlighted the diversity of Caribbean music, with Ridge of Dominica winning Bouyon Artist of the Year.
Caribbean Legends Honoured
The ceremony also recognized several influential figures from across the region.
Calypso icon Calypso Rose received the Elite Calypso Honor, while Haitian kompa star Alan Cavé was presented with the Elite Konpa Honor.
Jamaican dancehall veteran Patra received the Lifetime Achievement Honor, recognizing her contribution to Caribbean music and her international impact.
Rapper Shyne was also among the recipients of a Special Honor.
Here’s the entire winners list you provided, organized by genre/category.
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 Song of the Year: “Dansa” — Klassik Frescobar
- Dennery Artist of the Year: Umpa
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 Cruise
- Music Cruise of the Year: UberSoca Cruise
Music Event
- Music Event of the Year: Reggae Fest: “Freedom Street” — CJ Milan
Music Festival
- Music Festival of the Year: Saint Lucia Jazz & Arts Festival
