Caribbean Music Awards Expands to the Islands with Fourth Edition in Trinidad

The 2026 ceremony marks the first edition outside New York, with organisers saying, "We want to bring it to the islands," while reaffirming their commitment to the city where the awards began

Caribbean Music Awards announces Trinidad as new home for fourth staging (Photo: Nikita Small)

The Caribbean Music Awards has announced that its fourth edition will be held in Trinidad and Tobago, marking the first time the annual event will take place outside of New York as organisers continue expanding the awards' footprint across the Caribbean.

Set for Saturday, September 19, the fourth staging of the Caribbean Music Awards will make its Trinidad and Tobago debut at the National Academy for the Performing Arts (NAPA) in Port of Spain. The ceremony will headline the inaugural Caribbean Music Awards Elite Weekend Experience, a three-day celebration from September 18–20 under the theme "Sounds of the Caribbean." The weekend will feature a welcome reception, pre-show events, the official after-party, a Stars and Steel steelpan concert, networking opportunities, and other cultural experiences showcasing the rich heritage of Trinidad and Tobago.

The ceremony will be hosted by Caribbean-American comedian Majah Hype, widely known as the "King of Comedy," alongside Trinidadian soca princess Nailah Blackman, bringing together two of the region's most recognizable entertainment personalities.

Hosting the Caribbean Music Awards for the fourth time (Photo: Shalaina Joy)

"Four years hosting the Caribbean Music Awards? Mi feel like dem haffi give me my own seat at this point!" said Majah Hype in the statement. "But seriously, being part of this journey from day one has been a blessing. I've watched this celebration grow, seen the incredible talent come through, and witnessed how much this moment means to our people. To see it expand from Brooklyn's Kings Theatre to Trinidad & Tobago is something special. Caribbean culture is powerful, the talent is endless, and mi ready fi celebrate everybody who continues to carry our music and our culture to the world."

For Trinidadian soca princess Nailah Blackman, this year's ceremony represents a new chapter in her relationship with the Caribbean Music Awards. Having previously attended, performed, and won at the event, she now takes center stage as co-host in her homeland.

"The Caribbean Music Awards has been a special part of my journey," said Nailah Blackman. "I've experienced this celebration as a fan, as a performer, as a nominee, and as a winner, and now being able to step into the role of host is truly an honor. To do it in Trinidad, surrounded by our people and our culture, makes this moment even more meaningful. I'm excited to celebrate the incredible artists who continue to push Caribbean music forward."

"The Caribbean Music Awards has been a special part of my journey," (Photo: Shalaina Joy)

In an official statement, organisers stressed that the change in venue does not signal a departure from New York, where the awards were established.

"While the location is changing, our commitment to New York is not. New York is where the Caribbean Music Awards found its footing, built its community, and established the energy that will always be embedded in our DNA. We're not turning our backs on the city that helped shape this brand. Rather, we're building on that foundation by bringing the celebration to different corners of the global Caribbean community."

The team behind the awards, Caribbean Elite Magazine, echoed that sentiment, adding, "We want to bring it to the islands."

The 2026 ceremony heads to the home of soca for the first time (Photo: Nikita Small)

This year's Caribbean Music Awards features more than 250 nominees across over 40 categories, with public voting officially opening today, July 29, and running through August 10, 2026. New categories honouring Dennery, Zess, Konpa, Chutney Soca, Jab, and French Caribbean music further broaden the awards' cultural reach.

Leading this year's nominations is Trinidadian soca star Lady Lava with nine nods. Dancehall sensation Ayetian, soca icon Machel Montano, and V'ghn follow with seven nominations each, while Shenseea and Skillibeng received six apiece. Masicka, Popcaan, Valiant, Vybz Kartel, and Yung Bredda each earned five nominations, highlighting the strong Jamaican presence across this year's field.