From Bouyon to Zess: Regional Rhythms, Major Wins — Inside the 2026 CMAs
By Semaj Bernard
For the first time since its inception, the Caribbean Music Awards came home to the region, bringing together artists and sounds from across the Caribbean on Saturday, September 19, at the National Academy for the Performing Arts (NAPA) in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago.
After three editions in Brooklyn, New York, the fourth annual ceremony marked a significant moment for Caribbean music, with more than 40 categories recognising the diversity of genres shaping the region's musical identity.
While major names including Lady Lava, Shenseea and Kes collected multiple awards, some of the night's most notable moments came from genres that have increasingly moved from local and regional spaces onto international stages.
Mr. Ridge Makes Bouyon History
Dominica's Bouyon scene had a major moment as Mr. Ridge was named Bouyon Artist of the Year for the third consecutive year.
The win makes Ridge the first three-time recipient of the award, having also taken home the title in 2024 and 2025. The Bouyon Artist of the Year category was introduced when the awards launched in 2024.
The achievement comes during a landmark year for Bouyon at the awards, with 1T1 & Theomaa taking home Bouyon Song of the Year for their track “Bouwéy.” The Guadeloupean duo also won French Caribbean Song of the Year for “Ouba.”
With eight Dominican artists competing in the Bouyon categories this year, the genre's presence at the ceremony underscored the growing reach of Dominica's signature sound.
Dennery Segment Gets Its Moment
Another important milestone came with the introduction of Dennery Segment as an official award category for the first time.
The high-energy St. Lucian sound was represented by UMPA, who won Dennery Segment Artist of the Year, while Klassik Frescobar took home Dennery Segment Song of the Year for “Dansa.”
The inclusion of Dennery Segment alongside established categories such as Soca, Dancehall and Reggae reflects the increasingly broad range of Caribbean sounds being recognised on a regional awards platform.
Zess, Jab and Chutney Soca Shine
Trinidad's Lady Lava was one of the night's biggest winners, collecting awards across multiple categories and demonstrating the crossover between some of the Caribbean's newer and more distinct musical movements.
She won Zess Artist of the Year and Zess Song of the Year for “Bob the Builder.” She also won Female Soca Artist of the Year and shared the Chutney Soca Song of the Year award with Ravi B for “Cyah Pick.”
Meanwhile, Grenadian artist V'ghn and Terra D Governor took home Jab Song of the Year for “Jab Decisions.” V'ghn was also named Jab Artist of the Year, highlighting the growing recognition of Jab as a distinct force within the Caribbean's carnival music landscape.
The Chutney Soca Artist of the Year award went to Ravi B, adding another major recognition for the Indo-Caribbean musical tradition.
French Caribbean and Konpa Represented
Haitian and French Caribbean sounds were also strongly represented. Joe Dwet File won both French Caribbean Artist of the Year and Konpa Artist of the Year, while his song “4 Kampe” was named Konpa Song of the Year.
The French Caribbean Song of the Year award went to 1T1 & Theomaa for “Ouba,” giving the duo two genre-specific wins on the night.
Elsewhere, Freetown Collective claimed Caribbean Fusion Artist of the Year, reflecting the region's increasingly fluid musical landscape and the way artists continue to blend Caribbean influences across genres.
Lady Lava, Shenseea and Kes Among Major Winners
Beyond the emerging and genre-specific categories, several of the region's biggest names also had major nights.
Shenseea won Female Dancehall Artist of the Year, while “Shake It to the Max (FLY) [Remix]” by MOLIY, Silent Addy, Skillibeng and Shenseea won both Dancehall Song of the Year and Dancehall Collaboration of the Year.
Kes took home Male Soca Artist of the Year and Soca Performer of the Year, while Yung Bredda & Full Blown won Soca Song of the Year for “The Greatest Bend Over.” Full Blown also won Soca Video of the Year for “Good Spirits.”
In Reggae, Lila Iké was named Female Reggae Artist of the Year and Buju Banton Male Reggae Artist of the Year. Chronixx's Exile won Reggae Album of the Year, while Protoje took Reggae Song of the Year for “BIG 45.”
Bad Bunny was named Latin Caribbean Artist of the Year, while Alkaline received the People's Choice Award.
Celebrating Caribbean Icons
The ceremony also honoured four major figures whose contributions extend beyond a single song or genre.
Patra received the Lifetime Achievement Award, Calypso Rose received the Elite Calypso Award, Alan Cavé was honoured with the Elite Konpa Award, and Shyne received the Global Ambassador Award.
With the awards finally taking place in the Caribbean, the 2026 ceremony served as more than a celebration of established stars. It provided a platform for the many sounds that make up the region — from Bouyon and Dennery Segment to Zess, Jab, Chutney Soca, Konpa and French Caribbean music.
And for Dominica, Mr. Ridge's third consecutive Bouyon Artist of the Year win added another significant chapter to the island's growing presence on the regional music stage.
Missed the action? Catch the Caribbean Music Awards 2026 red-carpet livestream from Black Island Girl Multimedia, with BIG Correspondent VeeRoyal bringing viewers coverage from the event in Trinidad and Tobago.
Full List of 2026 Caribbean Music Awards Winners
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
Dennery Segment
Dennery Segment Artist of the Year — UMPA
Dennery Segment Song of the Year — “Dansa” — Klassik Frescobar
French Caribbean
French Caribbean Artist of the Year — Joe Dwet File
French Caribbean Song of the Year — “Ouba” — 1T1 & Theomaa
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 — Joe Dwet File
Konpa Song of the Year — “4 Kampe” — Joe Dwet File
Zess
Zess Artist of the Year — Lady Lava
Zess Song of the Year — “Bob the Builder” — Lady Lava
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]”
Dancehall Video of the Year — “Rich Sex” — Masicka
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
Other Awards
Latin Caribbean Artist of the Year — Bad Bunny
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
People's Choice Award — Alkaline
Special Honors
Lifetime Achievement Award — Patra
Elite Calypso Award — Calypso Rose
Elite Konpa Award — Alan Cavé
Global Ambassador Award — Shyne