Late Dancehall Artiste J Capri to Be Honoured at Excellence in Music Ceremony 2026

More than a decade after her passing, the dancehall star’s legacy and international impact will be recognised posthumously at the Excellence in Music Ceremony 2026, alongside Chevelle Franklyn, Heather Cummings and Ma-Isheeba

Dancehall artiste J Capri

Late dancehall artiste J Capri’s name will once again take centre stage in Jamaican music, as she is set to be recognised posthumously at the Excellence in Music Ceremony 2026, organised by Back 2 Da Future Music Limited in partnership with Royalty Network Inc.

The ceremony, formerly known as the Grammy Certificate Ceremony, will return to Jamaica on Tuesday, September 15, 2026, for its sixth staging at The Courtleigh Auditorium in New Kingston.

For dancehall fans, J Capri’s recognition carries deep emotional weight. Known for her vibrant energy, delivery and unmistakable stage presence, she made a major impact during a career that, while brief, left a lasting impression. Signed to Rvssian’s Head Concussion Records, Capri emerged as one of dancehall’s promising female talents, with her breakout collaboration with Charly Black, “Whine & Kotch,” becoming one of the most recognisable dancehall records of its era.

The track, which has amassed more than 136 million Spotify streams to date, continues to enjoy global rotation and recently earned a British Phonographic Industry (BPI) Silver certification, an achievement that will now see the late artiste formally recognised and cement her place in dancehall history. Her second most successful single on the platform, “Pull Up To Mi Bumper,” her collaboration with Konshens, has surpassed 70 million Spotify streams, highlighting the lasting reach of her music more than a decade after her passing.

Capri, who tragically passed away in 2015 following a motor vehicle accident, will receive the recognition more than a decade after her passing. Her voice continues to resonate through playlists, radio sets and club rotations, keeping alive the legacy of a talent who helped carry Jamaican dancehall to audiences around the world.

J Capri is among four Jamaican women being honoured this year for their contributions to internationally acclaimed recordings. She will be recognised alongside Chevelle Franklyn, Heather Cummings and Ma-Isheeba.

Gospel artiste Chevelle Franklyn poses with the Grammy Certificates she received in 2024.

Franklyn will receive BPI-certified Silver recognition for her feature on Shabba Ranks’ iconic “Mr Loverman,” while Cummings will receive a Grammy Certificate for her background vocal contribution to Beres Hammond’s One Love, One Life. Ma-Isheeba will be honoured with six BPI-certified discs - four Silver, one Gold and one 2x Platinum - connected to internationally successful recordings by acts including Rick Astley, Aswad, Dina Carroll and Climie Fisher.

Kennedy Mensah, founder of Back 2 Da Future Music Limited, emphasised the importance of recognising the contributions of women across music history. “Unfortunately, music is still a heavily male-dominated business. As such, we must ensure that we take every opportunity to shine a spotlight on the ladies who have added to the very fabric of musical excellence for decades. We are very pleased to honour this year’s cohort of females representing both sides of the vocal divide – Chevelle Franklyn and J Capri as featured artists alongside Heather Cummings and Ma-Isheeba as celebrated backing vocalists. In the years ahead, we expect this number will increase, but for now, we raise a glass to these four Jamaican doyennes,” Mensah said.

This year’s Excellence in Music Ceremony will continue its tradition of recognising contributors connected to Grammy-winning and Grammy-nominated projects, while also presenting BPI-certified Silver, Gold and Platinum discs alongside official Grammy Certificates.