T&T to Host 4th Caribbean Music Awards This Year

By Klysha Best

The rhythm is shifting south. For the first time in its history, the Caribbean Music Awards (CMA) is crossing the waters from Brooklyn to the Caribbean, with Trinidad and Tobago set to host the fourth edition of the prestigious ceremony this September.

Organised by the Caribbean Elite Group, the awards have grown since their 2023 debut into one of the region’s premier entertainment showcases, celebrating excellence across music, fetes, and cultural art forms. After three successful years at Brooklyn’s historic Kings Theatre, organizers are now expanding the celebration beyond the United States with the inaugural Caribbean Music Awards Elite Weekend Experience, scheduled for September 18-20, 2026.

The move marks a major milestone, a homecoming of sorts, as the awards make their Caribbean debut under the theme “Sounds of the Caribbean,” paying tribute to the rhythms, voices, and cultural traditions that have shaped generations and continue to influence music worldwide.

Rather than a single-night ceremony, the Elite Weekend Experience will span three days, bringing together artists, fans, media, industry professionals, creators, and cultural leaders from across the Caribbean and the diaspora.

The centerpiece will be the Fourth Annual Caribbean Music Awards on Saturday, September 19, at the National Academy for the Performing Arts (NAPA) in downtown Port of Spain, a venue that will resonate with the sounds of Dancehall, Reggae, Soca, Konpa, Chutney Soca, Zess, Dennery, and Gospel, while also highlighting emerging Caribbean music.

The festivities will include a welcome reception, pre-show activities, an official after-party, a special steelpan concert presented by Stars and Steel, and several events highlighting Trinidad and Tobago’s rich cultural heritage. Additional performers, presenters, and programming will be announced in the coming weeks.

While the awards are moving to the Caribbean, organisers stressed that New York remains an important part of the event’s history. Brooklyn provided the ideal launchpad, allowing the awards to build an international audience while showcasing Caribbean talent on a global stage.

With that foundation now established, the Caribbean Music Awards is entering a new phase by partnering with tourism boards and host destinations across the region. The long-term vision is to rotate the event among different Caribbean countries, promoting tourism, generating economic activity, and strengthening the region’s creative industries.

Adding to this year’s excitement, internationally acclaimed Soca star Nailah Blackman and comedian Majah Hype will host the ceremony.

For Majah Hype, this marks his fourth consecutive year as host. He said watching the awards grow from Brooklyn to Trinidad and Tobago has been a blessing, describing the move as another significant step in celebrating Caribbean culture on the world stage.

Blackman said serving as host is especially meaningful after previously attending, performing, receiving nominations, and winning at the awards. “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,” she said, adding that hosting the event in her home country makes the occasion even more special.