Government of Dominica Sponsors the 2026 Caribbean Music Awards

Sponsorship, through the Ministry of Tourism and Discover Dominica Authority, extends support for Dominica's bouyon music onto a regional and international stage

—The Government of Dominica, through the Ministry of Tourism and Discover Dominica Authority (DDA), announces its partnership with the 2026 Caribbean Music Awards as an Official Sponsor of the Bouyon Award Categories, providing a prominent platform to celebrate the genre that originated in Dominica while showcasing the Nature Island to Caribbean and international audiences.

The awards are scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026, at the National Academy for the Performing Arts (NAPA) in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago.

Dominican bouyon artistes nominated for the 2026 Caribbean Music Awards include Asa Bantan, Dirty Dawg Pudaz, Mr. Ridge, Reo, Shelly & Signal Band, Trilla G, Shiloh and Khallion. The nominations span the Bouyon Artist of the Year and Bouyon Song of the Year categories, highlighting both established and emerging contributors to the genre.

The sponsorship forms part of the Government of Dominica’s continued efforts to leverage the island’s music, traditions and cultural expressions to strengthen destination awareness and promote Dominica’s major cultural events, including the World Creole Music Festival (WCMF) and Mas Domnik, Dominica’s Carnival.

“Bouyon is distinctly Dominican, and its continued growth across the Caribbean and

internationally creates important opportunities for our artistes, our creative sector and our country,” said Hon. Denise Charles-Pemberton, Minister for Tourism. “The Government of Dominica is committed to supporting platforms that elevate Dominican talent, expand the reach of our cultural products and strengthen the contribution of our creative industries to tourism and economic development. Our partnership with the Caribbean Music Awards is an investment in the continued growth and international visibility of a genre that was created right here in Dominica.”

“As CaribMA makes its Caribbean debut this September in Trinidad, partnering with the Government of Dominica is exactly the kind of collaboration that makes this moment so special.

We’re proud of the work Dominica is committed to around music, culture and community, andbwe share a similar vision for how these powerful forces can connect people, celebrate identity and create opportunities. We’re proud to amplify Dominica’s sound and its story, bringing them to audiences across the Caribbean and around the world,” said Prince Forde, Co-Founder, Caribbean Music Awards.

The partnership will also include pre-event promotional activities highlighting Dominica’s sponsorship and its connection to Bouyon music, further reinforcing the destination’s position as the birthplace and home of the genre.

A key component of the collaboration is the “Experience Dominica’s World Creole Music Festival” Giveaway, which will provide one winner with a complimentary vacation package to Dominica, including round-trip airfare, accommodation, ground transportation and tickets to the World Creole Music Festival.

The promotion comes ahead of the 26th World Creole Music Festival, scheduled for Oct. 23-25, 2026, at Windsor Park Sports Stadium in Roseau. The three-night festival showcases Dominican, Caribbean and international music, including bouyon, cadence-lypso, konpa, soca, reggae and dancehall. Dominica will also celebrate Mas Domnik, the Real Mas, on Feb. 8 and 9, 2027.

Through its participation in the Caribbean Music Awards, the Discover Dominica Authority will also pursue opportunities for destination marketing, media relations, stakeholder engagement and promotional activations surrounding the event. These efforts are intended to convert the growing regional and international visibility of Bouyon into increased awareness of Dominica and greater interest in travel to the destination.

The Caribbean Music Awards celebrates artistes and music professionals contributing to the development, growth and visibility of Caribbean music.