When Nailah Blackman takes the stage at NAPA on September 19, 2026, her role will go beyond that of a host. The Trinidadian singer will accompany the symbolic return of a ceremony that originated in New York to the region whose voices she celebrates. For the first time, the Caribbean Music Awards will be held in the Caribbean.
After three editions at the Kings Theatre in Brooklyn, the event has chosen Port of Spain to begin a new chapter. The fourth Caribbean Music Awards ceremony will be held at the National Academy for the Performing Arts, in the heart of Trinidad and Tobago’s capital. It will be the highlight of a program taking place September 18–20 under the theme “Sounds of the Caribbean.”
From Brooklyn to Port of Spain
This move is not just a simple change of venue. Brooklyn allowed the event to take shape in close contact with one of the most influential Caribbean diasporas. Artists, professionals, and audiences from various regions have found a shared platform there. By leaving New York this year, the organizers are not turning their backs on this history. They are seeking to build on these early foundations.
The arrival of the Caribbean Music Awards in Trinidad and Tobago brings the celebration closer to the cultures that inspire it. The choice of Port of Spain makes particular sense. UNESCO describes the city as the birthplace of the steelpan, calypso, and Carnival. Soca and chutney are also integral to its musical identity. Hosting a regional awards ceremony in this capital city thus serves to connect contemporary recognition, popular memory, and vibrant artistic creation.
Three days to extend the ceremony
The 2026 edition will be more than just an awards show. The Caribbean Music Awards Elite Weekend Experience is set to bring together artists, fans, the media, creators, and industry professionals over the course of three days. A welcome reception, pre-ceremony activities, an official after-party, and a steelpan concert presented by Stars and Steel are among the events announced. The guest artists and the full program will be revealed at a later date.
This format transforms the Caribbean Music Awards into a true cultural event. It creates spaces for people to come together not only around music, but also around those who produce, distribute, and tell its stories. This ambition can strengthen the ties between local music scenes, the creative industries, and the diaspora—provided that artists from different regions are truly given a platform.
Nailah Blackman, the face of this comeback
Nailah Blackman ’s presence as co-host gives this transition a human touch. She has previously experienced the ceremony as a spectator, an interpreter, a nominee, and a winner. Hosting it now in her home country, alongside Majah Hype, connects her personal journey to the event’s evolution. Majah Hype, for his part, will serve in this role for the fourth consecutive year.
The organizers are also considering rotating future editions among several Caribbean destinations. This prospect could support cultural tourism and the creative economy, but it will need to be monitored beyond mere announcements. Will the rotation benefit local artists, technicians, the media, and host communities?
For Trinidad and Tobago, the challenge will also be to demonstrate that hosting a major music event can leave a lasting impact. An inclusive lineup, local collaborations, and balanced regional coverage will help determine whether this ambition truly extends beyond the prestige of a single televised Caribbean event.
The inaugural Caribbean Music Awards in Trinidad and Tobago thus opens up a broader possibility: that of a Caribbean capable of producing, hosting, and telling the story of its own major musical celebrations. Following Brooklyn, Port of Spain is becoming a testing ground. It remains to be seen whether this inaugural regional event will mark the beginning of a sustainable, traveling festival.
The 2026 Caribbean Music Awards will be held at the National Academy for the Performing Arts in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago.
The main ceremony will take place on September 19, 2026. It will be part of a cultural weekend scheduled for September 18–20, 2026.
It will be the first edition held in the Caribbean, following three ceremonies hosted in Brooklyn, New York.
