{"id":493779,"date":"2026-06-11T05:51:11","date_gmt":"2026-06-11T05:51:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/493779\/"},"modified":"2026-06-11T05:51:11","modified_gmt":"2026-06-11T05:51:11","slug":"2026-caribbean-music-awards-nominees-lady-lava-machel-montano-more","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/493779\/","title":{"rendered":"2026 Caribbean Music Awards Nominees: Lady Lava, Machel Montano & More"},"content":{"rendered":"

\n\tThe Caribbean Music Awards<\/a> are back!<\/p>\n

\n\tAnnounced Wednesday afternoon (June 10), Trinidadian cross-genre powerhouse Lady Lava leads the nominations for the 2026 Caribbean Music Awards, with nine nods across seven categories. Fast-rising Jamaican dancehall<\/a> star Ayetian, King of Soca<\/a> Machel Montano<\/a> and Grenadian soca sensation V\u2019ghn<\/a> follow with seven nominations each.<\/p>\n

\n\tLast year\u2019s big winner, Shenseea<\/a>, adds six more nominations to her career total, thanks, in large part, to Moliy\u2019s<\/a> \u201cShake It to the Max.\u201d A crossover hit that reached No. 44 on the Billboard Hot 100<\/a>, \u201cShake It to the Max,\u201d which also features Disco Neil, Silent Addy and Skillibeng, reigns as this year\u2019s most-nominated song, with recognition in three separate categories. It\u2019s a sweet moment of vindication for a track that was deemed ineligible<\/a> to compete at February\u2019s Grammy Awards \u2014 a decision that sent shockwaves through the global music industry and found gamma. CEO Larry Jackson deeming the decision as \u201cdevoid of any common sense.\u201d<\/p>\n

\n\tThe Caribbean Music Awards recognizes artists, producers and industry professionals who have significantly contributed to the Caribbean music landscape. This year\u2019s nominations list includes more than 250 nominees across 40-plus categories spanning a diverse range of genres including reggae<\/a>, soca, dancehall, calypso, R&B and gospel.<\/p>\n

\n\tBuilding on its commitment to cultural expansion and genre inclusivity, this year\u2019s ceremony introduces an expansive slate of new categories, including Dennery artist and song of the year, zess song of the year, konpa song of the year, chutney soca artist and song of the Year, jab artist and song of the year and French Caribbean song of the year.<\/p>\n

\n\tWhile Skillibeng<\/a> also collects six nominations this year, Masicka<\/a>, Popcaan<\/a>, Valiant<\/a>, Vybz Kartel<\/a> and Yung Bredda each earn five nods, highlighting their continued dominance across dancehall and soca. In addition, several acts earned four nominations each, including Full Blown<\/a>, Jesse Royal, Jo\u00e9 Dw\u00e8t Fil\u00e9, Kes<\/a>, Lila Ik\u00e9<\/a>, Lola Doll, Mical Teja, Mikado and Voice. Keznamdi<\/a>, who won the 2026 Grammy for best reggae album for his Blxxd & Fyah LP, picked up two nominations, as did Chronixx, whose Exile was crowned Billboard\u2019s No. 1 Best Caribbean Album of 2025<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\n\tOther big names on this year\u2019s nominees list include Tyla<\/a>, Nicki Minaj<\/a>, Bad Bunny<\/a>, Shakira<\/a>, Sting<\/a>, Fridayy<\/a>, Davido<\/a>, and Burna Boy<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\n\tThe Caribbean Music Awards are presented by the Caribbean Elite Group, which also produces\u00a0Caribbean Elite\u00a0Magazine\u00a0\u2013 a print and digital publication that highlights Caribbean entertainers, artists, producers, promoters, cuisine, travel, fashion and entrepreneurs.<\/p>\n

\n\tVoting is currently underway at the Caribbean Music Awards<\/a> website\u00a0and will conclude on Monday, Aug. 10. Additional details about the event and date will be announced at a later date. Last year\u2019s ceremony was held at Kings Theatre in Brooklyn, New York, featuring appearances and performances by Shenseea, Armanii<\/a>, Busta Rhymes, Sizzla, Machel Montano, Bounty Killer, Elephant Man<\/a> and more.<\/p>\n

\n\tFor the complete list of nominations, visit the\u00a0Caribbean Music Awards<\/a> website. Here are the nominees in selected categories:<\/p>\n

\t\tPeople\u2019s Choice\t<\/p>\n

\n\tAlkaline<\/p>\n

\n\tDexta Daps<\/p>\n

\n\tKes<\/p>\n

\n\tLady Lava<\/p>\n

\n\tShenseea<\/p>\n

\n\tVoice<\/p>\n

\n\tVybz Kartel<\/p>\n

\n\tYung Bredda<\/p>\n

\t\tReggae \u2014 Album of the Year\t<\/p>\n

\n\tKeznamdi \u2014 Blxxd & Fyah<\/p>\n

\n\tChronixx \u2014 Exile<\/p>\n

\n\tGlen Washington \u2014 Feeling Irie<\/p>\n

\n\tSanchez \u2014 Jamdown<\/p>\n

\n\tJesse Royal \u2014 No Place Like Home<\/p>\n

\n\tLila Ik\u00e9 \u2014 Treasure Self Love<\/p>\n

\n\tDuane Stephenson \u2014 Weekend Dude<\/p>\n

\t\tReggae \u2014 Song of the Year\t<\/p>\n

\n\tProtoje \u2014 \u201cBIG 45\u201d<\/p>\n

\n\tAnthony B \u2014 \u201cGood Music\u201d<\/p>\n

\n\tAiesha \u2014 \u201cJamaica Strong\u201d<\/p>\n

\n\tJesse Royal & Agent Sasco \u2014 \u201cSo High\u201d<\/p>\n

\n\tZion Marley \u2014 \u201cThe Door\u201d<\/p>\n

\n\tShaggy & Stign \u2014 \u201cTil A Mawnin\u201d<\/p>\n

\n\tChristopher Martin \u2014 \u201cWife and Sweetheart\u201d<\/p>\n

\t\tReggae \u2014 Best New Artist\t<\/p>\n

\n\tCholita<\/p>\n

\n\tKhalia<\/p>\n

\n\tNesta<\/p>\n

\n\tRani Rastaciti<\/p>\n

\n\tRik Jam<\/p>\n

\n\tYeza<\/p>\n

\n\tZagga<\/p>\n

\t\tDancehall \u2014 Album of the Year\t<\/p>\n

\n\tMasicka \u2014 Her Name Is Love<\/p>\n

\n\tPopcaan \u2014 Nothing Without God<\/p>\n

\n\t450 \u2014 Pieces of Me<\/p>\n

\n\tValiant \u2014 Prove Them Wrong<\/p>\n

\n\tPrince Swanny \u2014 Saint<\/p>\n

\n\tArmanii \u2014 The Impact<\/p>\n

\n\tVybz Katel \u2014 Viking (Vybz Is King): 10th Year Anniversary<\/p>\n

\n\tDing Dong \u2014 From Ding Dong to World Ding<\/p>\n

\t\tDancehall \u2014 Collaboration of the Year\t<\/p>\n

\n\tAyetian & Govana \u2014 \u201cWah Yo Deh Pon\u201d<\/p>\n

\n\tAyetian & Skillibeng \u2014 \u201cTip (Remix)\u201d<\/p>\n

\n\tDing Dong & Vanessa Bling \u2014 \u201cGlory\u201d<\/p>\n

\n\tMoliy, Shenseea & Skillibeng \u2014 \u201cShake It to the Max (Fly) [Remix]\u201d<\/p>\n

\n\tPopcaan & Chronic Law \u2014 \u201cKick It Wid Myself\u201d<\/p>\n

\n\tSkillibeng & Vybz Kartel \u2014 \u201cNew Gear\u201d<\/p>\n

\t\tDancehall \u2014 Impact Award\t<\/p>\n

\n\tAyetian<\/p>\n

\n\tD\u2019yani<\/p>\n

\n\tKman 6ixx<\/p>\n

\n\tMalie Donn<\/p>\n

\n\tNigy Boy<\/p>\n

\n\tRaja Wild<\/p>\n

\n\tSkippa<\/p>\n

\n\tStalk Ashley<\/p>\n

\t\tSoca \u2014 Performer of the Year\t<\/p>\n

\n\tKes<\/p>\n

\n\tLady Lava<\/p>\n

\n\tMachel Montano<\/p>\n

\n\tMr. Killa<\/p>\n

\n\tNadia Batson<\/p>\n

\n\tPatrice Roberts<\/p>\n

\n\tV\u2019ghn<\/p>\n

\n\tVoice<\/p>\n

\t\tSoca \u2014 Video of the Year\t<\/p>\n

\n\tFull Blown \u2014 \u201cGood Spirits\u201d<\/p>\n

\n\tMachel Montano \u2014 \u201cPardy\u201d<\/p>\n

\n\tNadia Batson \u2014 \u201cPieces\u201d<\/p>\n

\n\tPatrice Roberts \u2014 \u201cRock So\u201d<\/p>\n

\n\tMical Teja \u2014 \u201cLast Train\u201d<\/p>\n

\n\tMical Teja \u2014 \u201cHome\u201d<\/p>\n

\n\tCoutain x Tano \u2014 \u201cJamtown\u201d<\/p>\n

\t\tSoca \u2014 Best New Artist\t<\/p>\n

\n\tOmaiah Hall<\/p>\n

\n\tCoutain<\/p>\n

\n\tAaron Duncan<\/p>\n

\n\tKisha Kay<\/p>\n

\n\tRAE<\/p>\n

\n\tImani Ray<\/p>\n

\n\tChristo<\/p>\n

\n\tHunter<\/p>\n

\t\tKonpa \u2014 Artist of the Year\t<\/p>\n

\n\tHarmonik<\/p>\n

\n\tJo\u00e9 Dw\u00e8t Fil\u00e9<\/p>\n

\n\tKai<\/p>\n

\n\tT-Vice<\/p>\n

\n\tVayb<\/p>\n

\n\tRutshelle Guillaume<\/p>\n

\t\tBouyon \u2014 Song of the Year\t<\/p>\n

\n\t1t1 ft. Theomaa \u2014 \u201cBouwey\u201d<\/p>\n

\n\tShelly & Signal Band \u2014 \u201cBye to the Old Me\u201d<\/p>\n

\n\tReo & T\u00e9hilah \u2014 \u201cLa Vie Doux\u201d<\/p>\n

\n\tKhallion \u2014 \u201cPut That on That\u201d<\/p>\n

\n\tMiimii \u2014 \u201cSe\u2019 Miimii\u201d<\/p>\n

\n\tDirty Dawg Pudaz \u2014 \u201cShake Something\u201d<\/p>\n

\n\tTrilla-G \u2014 \u201cTake Me as I Am\u201d<\/p>\n

\n\tBRG Hollywood (SXM) \u2014 \u201cTime 2 Grind\u201d<\/p>\n

\t\tDennery \u2014 Artist of the Year\t<\/p>\n

\n\tBlackboy<\/p>\n

\n\tDeejay ASAP<\/p>\n

\n\tDezral<\/p>\n

\n\tJardel<\/p>\n

\n\tMighty<\/p>\n

\n\tNerdy<\/p>\n

\n\tUmpa<\/p>\n

\t\tZess \u2014 Song of the Year\t<\/p>\n

\n\tTempa \u2014 \u201cAll Riders\u201d<\/p>\n

\n\tLady Lava \u2014 \u201cBob the Builder\u201d<\/p>\n

\n\tLola Doll \u2014 \u201cCome Downstairs\u201d<\/p>\n

\n\tLola Doll \u2014 \u201cIt Pinching\u201d<\/p>\n

\n\tLola Doll, Shawn Storm & Lady Lava \u2014 \u201cSend It Up\u201d<\/p>\n

\n\tSachie & Selecta Gas \u2014 \u201cSo D Badness Go\u201d<\/p>\n

\n\tSachie \u2014 \u201cWho Studying You\u201d<\/p>\n

\t\tJab \u2014 Song of the Year\t<\/p>\n

\n\tLil Kerry \u2014 \u201cBury All\u201d<\/p>\n

\n\tDirty Dog & Capital Jab \u2014 \u201cCapital Anthem\u201d<\/p>\n

\n\tTallpree & Smokie \u2014 \u201cDo for Do\u201d<\/p>\n

\n\tDred Lion \u2014 \u201cGrease It\u201d<\/p>\n

\n\tV\u2019ghn & Terra D Governor \u2014 \u201cJab Decisions\u201d<\/p>\n

\n\tMuddy \u2014 \u201cPayroll\u201d<\/p>\n

\n\tKhalifah, MC Straker & Greg Boss \u2014 \u201cSame Boat\u201d<\/p>\n

\t\tChutney Soca \u2014 Artist of the Year\t<\/p>\n

\n\tDrupatee<\/p>\n

\n\tKi and The Band<\/p>\n

\n\tRasika Dindial<\/p>\n

\n\tRavi B<\/p>\n

\n\tRaymond Ramnarie<\/p>\n

\n\tTony Cuttz<\/p>\n

\n\tVanita Willie<\/p>\n

\n\tVicadi Singh<\/p>\n

\t\tCaribbean Fusion \u2014 Artist of the Year\t<\/p>\n

\n\tChillBill<\/p>\n

\n\tFreetown Collective<\/p>\n

\n\tJimmy October<\/p>\n

\n\tMickael Marabou<\/p>\n

\n\tMon\u00e9a<\/p>\n

\n\tNa\u00efka<\/p>\n

\n\tSkip Marley<\/p>\n

\n\tUmpa<\/p>\n

\t\tLatin Caribbean \u2014 Artist of the Year\t<\/p>\n

\n\tBad Bunny<\/p>\n

\n\tEl Alfa<\/p>\n

\n\tJey One<\/p>\n

\n\tKruziano<\/p>\n

\n\tLa Pana<\/p>\n

\n\tPrince Royce<\/p>\n

\n\tRomeo Santos<\/p>\n

\n\tShakira<\/p>\n

\t\tFrench Caribbean \u2014 Artist of the Year\t<\/p>\n

\n\tAya Nakamura<\/p>\n

\n\tBamby<\/p>\n

\n\tBlaiz Fayah<\/p>\n

\n\tJo\u00e9 Dw\u00e8t Fil\u00e9<\/p>\n

\n\tKalash<\/p>\n

\n\tMaureen<\/p>\n

\n\tMeryl<\/p>\n

\n\tMikado<\/p>\n

\t\tMusic Event of the Year\t<\/p>\n

\n\tNadia Batson \u2014 Artform<\/p>\n

\n\tMicha\u00ebl Brun \u2014 BAYO<\/p>\n

\n\tBrunch & Soca<\/p>\n

\n\tPatrice Roberts \u2014 I Am Woman<\/p>\n

\n\tBarclays Center \u2014 Reggae Fest: The Return of Bounty Killer<\/p>\n

\n\tReggae Fest \u2014 Vybz Kartel at Barclays Center<\/p>\n

\n\tRise & Toast<\/p>\n

\n\tSoca Brainwash<\/p>\n

\n\tStink & Dutty<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"The Caribbean Music Awards are back! Announced Wednesday afternoon (June 10), Trinidadian cross-genre powerhouse Lady Lava leads the…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":493780,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[28],"tags":[6971,211930,93,61,60,278,55097,211931],"class_list":["post-493779","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-music","tag-awards","tag-dancehall","tag-entertainment","tag-ie","tag-ireland","tag-music","tag-reggae","tag-soca"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/493779","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=493779"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/493779\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/493780"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=493779"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=493779"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=493779"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}