Trinidad and Tobago to Host Caribbean Music Awards for the First Time

Trinidad and Tobago to Host Caribbean Music Awards for the First Time

Trinidad and Tobago is set to make history as the first Caribbean nation to host the Caribbean Music Awards outside of New York, marking a major milestone for the region’s music industry.

The awards will take place as part of the Caribbean Music Awards Elite Weekend Experience from September 18 to 20, with the main ceremony being held at the National Academy for the Performing Arts (NAPA) in Port of Spain.

After three successful years at the historic Kings Theatre in Brooklyn, New York, organizers have chosen Trinidad and Tobago as the inaugural Caribbean host destination. This year’s event will be held under the theme “Sounds of the Caribbean,” celebrating the rhythms, voices and cultural traditions that have shaped generations and influenced music around the world.

Organizers say the move recognizes Trinidad and Tobago’s rich cultural heritage and longstanding influence on regional and international music. They believe bringing the awards to the Caribbean represents the next phase of the event’s growth while strengthening the connection between the awards and the region that inspired them.

The Elite Weekend Experience will expand the event from a single awards ceremony into a multi-day celebration featuring live music, cultural showcases, networking opportunities and community activities. Artists, fans, music industry professionals, media representatives and cultural leaders from across the Caribbean and the wider diaspora are expected to attend.

The Caribbean Music Awards also hopes the move will create a model for future editions in other Caribbean territories, boosting tourism, supporting local businesses and strengthening the region’s creative economy.

Although the ceremony is moving to Trinidad and Tobago, organizers said they will continue to honour Brooklyn, New York—the birthplace of the Caribbean Music Awards—which helped establish the event among one of the world’s largest and most influential Caribbean diaspora communities.

This year’s ceremony will also recognize internationally acclaimed soca star Nailah Blackman and comedian and cultural personality Majah Hype. The event follows the announcement of more than 250 nominees across over 40 categories, with organizers promising their biggest Caribbean Music Awards celebration to date.

The announcement marks a significant achievement for Trinidad and Tobago, reinforcing the country’s reputation as the cultural heartbeat of the Caribbean and placing it at the centre of one of the region’s premier music celebrations.