WASHINGTON, DC – THE Caribbean Music Awards (CMA) is heading to the Caribbean for the first time, with organizers announcing that Trinidad and Tobago will host the fourth edition of the awards this September.
Organized by the Caribbean Elite Group, the awards celebrate excellence across the region's entertainment industry, recognizing outstanding achievements in music, fetes and other cultural art forms.
Since launching in 2023, the event has grown into one of the Caribbean's premier entertainment showcases. After three successful years at Brooklyn's historic Kings Theatre in New York, organizers are now expanding the celebration beyond the United States with the launch of the inaugural Caribbean Music Awards Elite Weekend Experience, scheduled for September 18-20, 2026.
According to the organizers, this year's celebration will be held 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.
The centerpiece of the weekend 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. Organizers say the move marks a major milestone as the awards make their Caribbean debut.
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 festivities will include a welcome reception, pre-show activities, the awards ceremony, an official after-party, a special steelpan concert presented by Stars and Steel, and several events highlighting Trinidad and Tobago's rich cultural heritage. Organizers say additional performers, presenters and programming will be announced in the coming weeks.
While the awards are moving to the Caribbean, organizers stressed that New York remains an important part of the event's history. They noted that 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. Organizers say the long-term vision is to rotate the event among different Caribbean countries, helping to promote tourism, generate economic activity and strengthen 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.
Hype said that watching the awards grow from Brooklyn to Trinidad and Tobago has been a blessing and described 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.
Since its debut, the Caribbean Music Awards has recognized excellence across genres including Dancehall, Reggae, Soca, Konpa, Chutney Soca, Zess, Dennery and Gospel, while also highlighting emerging Caribbean music.
Following the announcement of more than 250 nominees across over 40 categories earlier this year, anticipation continues to build for what organizers believe will be the biggest Caribbean Music Awards celebration to date.
