Vybz Kartel, Masicka, Popcaan & Alkaline Lead Dancehall Showdown at 2026 Caribbean Music Awards

Dancehall’s biggest stars are set to battle for top honors at the 2026 Caribbean Music Awards, with a stacked list of nominees highlighting another massive year for the genre.

The fourth annual ceremony takes place on September 19, 2026, at the National Academy for the Performing Arts (NAPA) in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago. It marks the first time the awards will be held in the Caribbean after three consecutive editions in Brooklyn, New York.

Dancehall’s Biggest Names Go Head-to-Head

Some of the genre’s most recognizable artists headline this year’s nominations.

Vybz Kartel, Masicka, Popcaan, Alkaline, Dexta Daps, Skeng, Spice, Teejay, and 450 are all in contention across several major categories as they compete for Caribbean music’s biggest honors.

The lineup reflects both the continued dominance of established stars and the emergence of a new generation of hitmakers.

Album of the Year Battle

One of the night’s most anticipated contests comes in the Dancehall Album of the Year category.

The nominees are:

• Masicka – Her Name Is Love
• Popcaan – Nothing Without God
• 450 – Pieces of Me
• Vybz Kartel – Viking

Each project made a strong impact over the past year through streaming success, fan support, and critical recognition.

Performer of the Year Features Heavy Competition

The Performer of the Year category brings together some of Dancehall’s most dominant live entertainers.

Nominees include:

• Alkaline
• Dexta Daps
• Masicka
• Popcaan
• Skeng
• Spice
• Teejay
• Vybz Kartel

The award recognizes artists who delivered standout performances throughout the year on stages across the Caribbean and around the world.

Rising Artists Continue to Make Their Mark

The nominations also highlight Dancehall’s rising generation.

Ayetian earned seven nominations following a breakout year, while Shenseea and Skillibeng each secured six nominations across multiple categories.

Artists including Lola Doll and Full Blown also continue to build momentum after receiving several nominations.

Meanwhile, Lady Lava leads all artists overall with nine nominations across seven categories.

International Stars Join the Celebration

Dancehall’s global reach remains evident throughout this year’s awards.

International acts including Nicki Minaj, Burna Boy, Tyla, Bad Bunny, Shakira, and Sting appear in crossover and collaboration categories alongside Caribbean artists.

One of the biggest contenders is “Shake It to the Max (Fly) Remix” by Moliy, Skillibeng, Shenseea, and Silent Addy, which enters the ceremony as the most-nominated song of the year.

Trinidad Hosts a Historic Edition

The 2026 ceremony forms part of the Caribbean Elite Weekend Experience, running from September 18–20.

The weekend will feature networking events, steelpan showcases, artist appearances, and official after-parties before the main awards ceremony on September 19.

Public voting remains open until August 10, 2026, while ticket pre-sales begin on July 31.