A relationship sparked by GlobalTT’s 2025 Inward Music Mission culminates in a landmark weekend celebrating Caribbean music, culture and tourism in Trinidad and Tobago
Port of Spain, September 28, 2026 – Trinidad and Tobago became the first country outside of the United States of America to host the Caribbean Music Awards (CMAs) when the fourth annual ceremony took place at the National Academy for the Performing Arts (NAPA) on Saturday, September 19. It was the centrepiece of a three-day Elite Weekend Experience that began with a welcome reception on Friday and concluded with Stars & Steel on Sunday. For a country whose music has travelled the world, it was a chance to welcome the Caribbean to our shores and show the people, places and businesses behind the sound.
The path to hosting began in November 2025. Global Trinidad and Tobago’s (GlobalTT) inaugural Inward Music Mission invited international media, influencers and music industry stakeholders from the United Kingdom, United States, Guadeloupe, Martinique and Australia to experience T&T’s music sector firsthand. The programme connected them with local artistes, music facilities and the steelpan sector. One participant was Dane Taylor, Co-Founder of the CMAs.
“When I came to Trinidad and Tobago in November, I came to experience the country, the people and the music industry. What I experienced made an impression. I saw the talent, the culture, the infrastructure and the passion. Bringing the CMAs here became a natural extension of that relationship,” Taylor said.
At the awards, Trinidad and Tobago’s artistes had their moment on home soil. Lady Lava, the most-nominated act, retained Zess Artiste of the Year and won Female Soca Artiste of the Year and Chutney Soca Song of the Year with Ravi B. Kes claimed Male Soca Artiste of the Year; Yung Bredda won Soca Song of the Year for “The Greatest Bend Over”; Freetown Collective took Caribbean Fusion Artiste; and Full Blown received the Soca Impact Award. Calypso Rose was among the evening’s honourees.
The weekend also showed the depth of talent behind a major Caribbean production. GlobalTT’s welcome reception brought government representatives, artistes, international guests, media and music stakeholders together at NAPA. On Sunday, Stars & Steel, led and produced by Akua Lieth, placed the MITTCO Ensemble alongside local and international performers Patra, Angela Hunte, Elizabeth Waldron, Quinten Neckles and Jah Mason. With steelpan at its centre, the concert brought a distinctive Trinidad and Tobago sound to a wider audience.
The significance for citizens extends beyond a night of recognition. Events of this scale bring together performers, producers, production crews, venues, transport providers and hospitality businesses. They show visiting organisers and music industry contacts the talent and services this country can offer. The lasting value will depend on whether that experience leads to further bookings, repeat events, stronger tourism demand, and export work for local creatives.
“Our music has carried Trinidad and Tobago around the world. This weekend brought the industry here to meet the people who make it,” said Senator the Honourable Satyakama Maharaj, Minister of Trade, Investment and Tourism. “The pride of hosting must lead to opportunity: more work for our artistes and production teams, more reasons to visit, and more ways for local businesses to earn beyond our shores.”
This is where the Ministry of Trade, Investment and Tourism’s mandate meets the creative sector. GlobalTT’s mission has built connections to international music networks and potential export markets. Tourism Trinidad Limited (TTL), as Presenting Sponsor, helped position T&T as a destination for music and cultural travel. Together, the agencies and their partners demonstrated the country’s capacity to host a major regional production and develop the relationships that can support future tourism, investment and creative exports.
GlobalTT’s work to develop commercial opportunities in music extends beyond the awards. Its Sync Licensing Workshop equipped artistes, producers and managers with practical knowledge to pursue music placements in film, television, advertising, gaming and digital media. Its Techstars Startup Weekend brought 40 participants together to develop technology-driven solutions for the music and creative industries. These programmes give local talent more ways to turn attention into income.
“The work we are doing across music is about building an ecosystem that can generate sustainable export opportunities, attract investment and create new avenues for our creatives to participate in international markets,” said Sekou Alleyne, CEO of GlobalTT.
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