Dansa vs Dennery Segment Song at the CMA Reveals
The Caribbean music scene is buzzing, and the recent Caribbean Music Awards delivered a vibrant celebration of talent, genre diversity, and cultural history. Marking the first time the ceremony was hosted in its namesake region, the event brought together some of the biggest and brightest stars from the contemporary Caribbean music landscape.
The night, co-hosted by Majah Hype and soca star Nailah Blackman at Trinidad & Tobago’s National Academy for the Performing Arts (NAPA) in Port of Spain on September 18th, was a true showcase of regional musical prowess. The celebration extended beyond the stage, with a star-studded red carpet livestream hosted by Billboard’s Kyle Denis, catching glimpses of future music titans like Kes and Ayetian, alongside the night’s undisputed star, Lady Lava.
Lady Lava was at the center of the spotlight, sweeping multiple accolades, including the title of female soca artist of the year and the zess song of the year for “Bob the Builder.” Her dominance, however, was just one facet of the night’s awards.
The ceremony embraced the evolving sound of the region by introducing several exciting new categories, giving crucial visibility to fast-rising genres. New spotlights were added for the dynamic sounds of bouyon, jab, and the Dennery segment, ensuring that emerging sounds received deserved attention.
Beyond the mainstream wins, the night recognized the breadth of Caribbean musical creativity. The award tally was staggering, with several acts taking home multiple trophies. Trinidadian brother production duo Full Blown proved their versatility, securing three awards, including soca song of the year for “The Greatest Bend Over” (featuring Yung Bredda) and soca video of the year for “Good Spirits.” Other celebrated artists included pop-dancehall princess Shenseea and French-Haitian konpa singer Joé Dwèt Filé, who swept the konpa and French-Caribbean fields with his hit “4 Kampé.”
A host of talented artists were honored across various fields, including Skillibeng, V’ghn, Lila Iké, Masicka, Silent Addy, and Ravi B, all showcasing immense talent.
Furthermore, the ceremony paid homage to the genre’s enduring legacy. Several Caribbean music legends were honored for their timeless contributions. The reggae and dancehall queen Patra earned the Lifetime Achievement Award, while Calypso Rose received the Elite Calypso Award, and konpa giant Alan Cavé was recognized with the Elite Konpa Award. The cultural impact was further celebrated when Belizean-born, Brooklyn-bred hip-hop and political icon Shyne was awarded the Global Ambassador Award.
While the ceremony was filled with triumphant moments, it also provided a reflection on the rich, diverse, and continuously evolving tapestry of Caribbean music.
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