Lady Lava Wins Big at Caribbean Music Awards Held in Trinidad
Lady Lava took four trophies at the 2026 Caribbean Music Awards, including female soca artist of the year and two song honors. Shenseea swept dancehall categories, while Full Blown and Joé Dwèt Filé also earned multiple wins. The ceremony, held for the first time in Trinidad, featured performances and a red carpet hosted by Billboard's Kyle Denis.
The ceremony's relocation to Trinidad marked a symbolic homecoming after three years in Brooklyn, placing the event at the National Academy for the Performing Arts. Beyond the main show, the weekend featured industry panels, a welcome reception, and a separate steelpan-focused concert honoring pioneers such as Dr. Len "Boogsie" Sharpe and Pan Trinbago.
With more than 40 competitive categories, the awards spanned bouyon, reggae, soca, dancehall, konpa, and chutney soca. Lady Lava's four trophies crossed three genres, while Full Blown, Shenseea, and Joé Dwèt Filé each collected three. The event also recognized festival excellence, with the Saint Lucia Jazz Festival taking music festival of the year.
The awards' move to Trinidad could strengthen the Caribbean's position as a cultural hub, potentially boosting music tourism and regional pride. Recognition of niche genres like chutney soca and zess may elevate artists who previously received limited mainstream visibility. The inclusion of global stars like Bad Bunny and Nicki Minaj could broaden international interest in Caribbean music, while the steelpan honors may reinforce the region's cultural heritage for younger audiences.