Dancehall Makes Its Mark At 2026 Caribbean Music Awards In Trinidad

Dancehall made a strong impression as the Caribbean Music Awards officially arrived in the region for the first time.

The fourth annual ceremony took place Saturday, September 19, at the National Academy for the Performing Arts in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago, bringing artists from across the Caribbean together for the awards’ historic Trinidad debut.

For Dancehall, the night produced several important moments, including a major win for rising Jamaican artiste Ayetian and another international milestone for the “Shake It to the Max (Fly)” remix.

Ayetian Claims Best New Artist

One of the biggest Dancehall moments came when Ayetian collected the Best New Artist award.

The Jamaican deejay entered the ceremony as one of Dancehall’s rising names after building momentum through his music and 2026 project JamPack.

The award represents his first Caribbean Music Award and adds another major milestone to a breakout period for the Montego Bay-born artiste.

Ayetian was also part of the evening’s wider Caribbean presence, returning to the awards after making his red-carpet debut in New York the previous year.

Moliy Brings Dancehall And Afrobeats Together

Another major Dancehall-related victory went to Ghanaian singer Moliy.

Her “Shake It to the Max (Fly) Remix,” featuring Jamaican Dancehall stars Shenseea and Skillibeng, won Dancehall Song of the Year.

The record also features Silent Addy and has become one of the clearest examples of Dancehall connecting with African and international sounds.

The victory gives Moliy a historic distinction as the first Ghanaian artist to win a Caribbean Music Award.

The song entered the ceremony as one of the night’s most recognized records, with three nominations across the awards.

For Dancehall, the win also highlights how far Jamaican artists can carry the genre through collaborations outside the traditional Caribbean market.

450 Represents Jamaica On The NAPA Stage

Dancehall also had a major presence on the performance side through 450.

The artiste was among the confirmed performers for the ceremony and delivered a performance during the night.

His appearance came after a strong 2026 run that also saw him nominated for Dancehall Album of the Year for Pieces of Me.

He was part of a wider Jamaican contingent that included Ayetian and other Dancehall representatives attending the Trinidad ceremony.

Reggae veteran Jah Mason also performed, adding another Jamaican sound to the evening.

Dancehall Was Part Of A Bigger Caribbean Picture

The significance of the night went beyond individual awards.

For the first three editions, the Caribbean Music Awards were staged in Brooklyn, New York. This year, the ceremony moved directly into the Caribbean.

That gave Trinidad and Tobago the opportunity to host artists representing different musical traditions in the same room.

Soca, Dancehall, Reggae, Jab, Bouyon, Zess and other Caribbean sounds shared the NAPA stage.

The performer lineup included 450, Jah Mason, V’ghn, Freetown Collective, 1T1, Theomaa, Muddy, Mela Caribe and Christo.

That mix reflects one of the biggest realities of Caribbean music today.

The genres remain distinct, but the artists increasingly move between the same audiences, festivals, collaborations and international platforms.

A Major Night For Caribbean Music

The awards also recognized several major figures outside the competitive categories.

Patra received the Lifetime Achievement Honor, while Calypso Rose received the Elite Calypso Honor, Alan Cavé received the Elite Kompa Honor and Shyne received the Global Ambassador Honor.

Meanwhile, Trinidadian artists had a major night of their own.

Kes won Male Soca Artist of the Year, while Lady Lava collected three awards, including Female Soca Artist of the Year and Zess Artist of the Year. Yung Bredda also won Soca Song of the Year for “The Greatest Bend Over.”

The night therefore became more than a Jamaican or Trinidadian celebration.

It showed the different sides of Caribbean music sharing one stage.

Why The Dancehall Results Matter

Dancehall’s presence at the 2026 Caribbean Music Awards tells a bigger story.

Ayetian represents the next generation pushing the genre forward.

450 brought his darker, melodic approach to a major regional stage.

And Moliy, Shenseea and Skillibeng’s victory showed how Dancehall can sit comfortably inside a wider African-Caribbean crossover.

That is particularly fitting for an awards ceremony built around the theme “Sounds of the Caribbean.”

The music may come from different islands and backgrounds, but the audience increasingly exists across the entire region and far beyond it.

With the Caribbean Music Awards now having staged its first ceremony inside the Caribbean, Dancehall has another platform through which its artists can be recognized alongside the wider musical culture that surrounds them.