The Caribbean Music Awards returns for its fourth-annual presentation and will celebrate four cultural figures. This year’s theme is “Sounds of the Caribbean”. Therefore, Caribbean icons Shyne, Calypso Rose, Alan Cavé, and Patra, will receive specialised honorary awards recognising their musical influences.
The Fourth Annual Caribbean Music Awards will take place Saturday 19th September 2026 in Trinidad and Tobago.
Lifetime Achievement Honor: Patra
Patra’s great influence on dancehall, reggae, and global Black music through her career means she will receive the Lifetime Achievement Honor.
Patra was born in Westmoreland in Jamaica, and started as a DJ of the name “Lady Patra”. Her collaboration with Shabba Ranks on “Family Affair”caused international recognition that amplified her career. She made history with her debut album, Queen of the Pack, reached No. 1 on Billboard’s Reggae Albums chart, and Gold in the US. Patra was the first Jamaican female artist to do so.
“Worker Man” reached No. 53 on the Billboard Hot 100 and entered the Top 20 on the R&B chart. Another hit song she’s made includes the acclaimed remake of Grace Jones’ “Pull Up to the Bumper”. She often made her presence known in American hip-hop culture. Notorious B.I.G. and Tupac Shakur are some of the notable artists whose music videos she made an appearance in.
Patra has risen to be one of the most recognisable female faces of Jamaica’s 1990s dancehall movement. Her distinctive style, commanding presence, and unapologetic portrayal of Black womanhood helped pave the way for a new generation of female dancehall artists.
Global Ambassador Honour: Shyne
Shyne will receive the Global Ambassador Honor in appreciation for his evolution from internationally-acclaimed artist to cultural leader, humanitarian, and global advocate for Belize and the Caribbean.
His 2000 self-titled debut charted at No. 5 on the Billboard 200 and earned Gold certification in the US. Shyne is one of the defining voices of his era. He became committed to public service and youth empowerment, leading him into politics. He served as Belize’s Music and Goodwill Ambassador and later as Leader of the Opposition in the House of Representatives.
Shyne continues to champion Caribbean culture on a global stage through his music, advocacy, and public service.
Elite Calypso & Konpa Honour: Calypso Rose and Alan Cavé
For her contributions to Caribbean music and bringing calypso to the world, Calypso Rose will receive the Elite Calypso Honor.
She is a trailblazer for women in music, spending more than six decades shaping the genre and achieving milestones. She’s the first woman to win Trinidad & Tobago’s Road March title and her album Far From Home has gone platinum.
Alan Cavé will receive the Elite Konpa Honor for his extraordinary influence on Haitian music and the global Konpa movement.
Known as the “King of Kompa Love,” Cavé’s spent over three decades defining the genre as both a member of Zin and solo artist. Through his timeless songwriting and signature vocals, he inspires generations of musicians throughout the Caribbean and diaspora.
Tickets
Following three successful years in Brooklyn, New York, the Caribbean Music Awards will make its international debut in Trinidad & Tobago.
The honourees will be celebrated as part of the Caribbean Music Awards Elite Weekend Experience. It is a three-day destination celebration taking place September 18–20 2026. The weekend will feature a welcome reception, industry programming, cultural activations, fan experiences, the Caribbean Music Awards ceremony, the official after-party, and a special Steelpan celebration featuring Stars and Steel.
The Fourth Annual Caribbean Music Awards is taking place Saturday, September 19, at the National Academy for the Performing Arts (NAPA) in Port of Spain, Trinidad & Tobago.
Tickets and additional details for the Caribbean Music Awards Elite Weekend Experience are available now here.
About the Caribbean Music Awards
The Caribbean Music Awards celebrates the exceptional talent, creativity, and impact of Caribbean music. It recognises outstanding artists, producers, and industry professionals who have significantly contributed to the Caribbean music landscape.
It is presented by Tourism Trinidad Limited, with support from the Tobago Tourism Agency Limited, Ministry of Trade, Investment and Tourism, and Global Trinidad and Tobago.
The event is managed by Caribbean Elite Group (CEG), an organisation dedicated to serving the global Caribbean community through a range of cultural, media, and community-focused initiatives. The organisation also aim to provide a global platform for Caribbean voices.
Its change of location to Trinidad & Tobago represents its continued mission to celebrate Caribbean music and culture across different regions in the Caribbean.
Written by Ejemen.
