2026 Caribbean Music Awards: Buju Banton, Lila Iké and Chronixx Among Reggae Winners

Buju Banton, Lila Iké and Chronixx were among the leading names recognised in the reggae categories at the 2026 Caribbean Music Awards, as the ceremony celebrated artists shaping the sound of Caribbean music. The event also marked a milestone for the awards, which were held in Trinidad and Tobago for the first time.

Held at the National Academy for the Performing Arts in Port of Spain, the ceremony brought together artists from across the region, recognising achievements in reggae, dancehall, soca, konpa, bouyon and other Caribbean genres.

According to the winners list published by World Music Views on September 20, 2026, Buju Banton took home Male Reggae Artist of the Year, while Lila Iké won Female Reggae Artist of the Year. Chronixx’s Exile was named Reggae Album of the Year, adding another accolade to the Jamaican singer’s body of work.

Lila Iké and Buju Banton Lead the Reggae Honours

Lila Iké’s win for Female Reggae Artist of the Year recognises her growing presence in contemporary reggae. Known for a sound that blends roots influences with soul and modern production, she has emerged as one of the genre’s distinctive contemporary voices.

Buju Banton claimed Male Reggae Artist of the Year, adding to the recognition he has earned over a career that has spanned dancehall, roots reggae and socially conscious music. His influence across Jamaican music has extended well beyond individual releases, helping connect different eras and styles.

The results also highlighted the range of talent recognised across the reggae categories, from established international performers to newer artists making their mark.

Chronixx’s Exile Takes Reggae Album of the Year

Chronixx won Reggae Album of the Year for Exile. The award places the album among the ceremony’s most prominent reggae releases and reinforces the continued visibility of roots-oriented Jamaican music within a wider Caribbean awards programme.

Other reggae category winners included Cholita, named Reggae Best New Artist, and Keznamdi, who received the Reggae Impact Award.

Protoje’s “BIG 45” won Reggae Song of the Year, while Lila Iké’s “Romantic,” featuring Masicka, took Reggae Collaboration of the Year. The results reflected a category that embraces both roots-conscious songwriting and collaborations that cross stylistic boundaries.

2026 Caribbean Music Awards: Reggae Winners

• Female Reggae Artist of the Year: Lila Iké
• Male Reggae Artist of the Year: Buju Banton
• Reggae Album of the Year: Exile — Chronixx
• Reggae Best New Artist: Cholita
• Reggae Collaboration of the Year: “Romantic” — Lila Iké featuring Masicka
• Reggae Impact Award: Keznamdi
• Reggae Song of the Year: “BIG 45” — Protoje

Dancehall and Soca Also Make Their Mark

The awards extended beyond reggae, with Jamaican and wider Caribbean artists recognised across several categories.

Shenseea won Female Dancehall Artist of the Year, while Valiant took Male Dancehall Artist of the Year. Ayetian won Dancehall Best New Artist and the Dancehall Impact Award, while Ding Dong was named Dancehall Performer of the Year.

The remix of “Shake It to the Max (FLY),” featuring MOLIY, Silent Addy, Skillibeng and Shenseea, won both Dancehall Song of the Year and Dancehall Collaboration of the Year. Masicka’s “Rich Sex” was named Dancehall Video of the Year.

In soca, Kes won Male Soca Artist of the Year and Soca Performer of the Year. Lady Lava claimed Female Soca Artist of the Year and Zess Artist of the Year, making her one of the ceremony’s notable multiple winners.

Caribbean Legends Receive Special Recognition

The ceremony also honoured influential figures whose work has helped shape Caribbean music across generations.

Calypso Rose received the Elite Calypso Honor, while Haitian konpa artist Alan Cavé was presented with the Elite Konpa Honor. Jamaican dancehall veteran Patra received the Lifetime Achievement Award, recognising her contribution to Caribbean music and her international reach.

Rapper Shyne received the Global Ambassador Honor, adding to a ceremony that celebrated both current achievements and longer-lasting cultural contributions.

A Wider Stage for Caribbean Music

The 2026 Caribbean Music Awards marked the first time the event was staged in Trinidad and Tobago. With artists from across the region recognised in a broad range of categories, the ceremony underscored the variety of musical traditions that contribute to Caribbean identity.

For reggae, the results offered recognition across several generations and approaches to the genre. Buju Banton and Lila Iké represented leading established and contemporary voices, while Chronixx, Protoje, Keznamdi and Cholita were also recognised in album, song, impact and new-artist categories.

The awards provide another opportunity to celebrate reggae’s place within the wider Caribbean musical landscape, alongside the dancehall, soca and other traditions that continue to carry the region’s sound to audiences around the world.