Caribbean Music Awards names first performers for debut in Trinidad and Tobago
V'ghn, Freetown Collective, Jah Mason, 450, 1T1 and Theomaa will perform at NAPA on September 19, with Billboard signed as global media partner.
PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad and Tobago. The Caribbean Music Awards (CMA) has announced the first wave of performers for its fourth annual ceremony, to be held on Saturday, September 19, at the National Academy for the Performing Arts (NAPA) in Port of Spain.
The line-up, announced on Tuesday, September 1, features V'ghn, Freetown Collective, Jah Mason, 450, 1T1 and Theomaa, covering soca, reggae, dancehall, bouyon and contemporary Caribbean sounds.
Several of the performers are also among this year's nominees. V'ghn has seven nominations and Freetown Collective three, while 1T1 is recognised in the bouyon categories, 450 is nominated for Dancehall Album of the Year and Theomaa for Bouyon Song of the Year.
More performers and presenters will be announced before the event.
Spotlight on Dominica
The ceremony will also spotlight Dominica, birthplace of bouyon. The Government of Dominica, through the Ministry of Tourism and the Discover Dominica Authority, will join the awards as a category sponsor.
"Dominica's participation speaks to the larger vision of the Caribbean Music Awards: a celebration where the region's islands can champion their own artists, sounds and cultural identities," CMA said.
It said the move to Trinidad and Tobago opens the door for other Caribbean destinations to host in future years.
Billboard partnership
Billboard will be the official global media partner, live-streaming the red carpet and promoting the event across its digital and social channels. TRACE returns as a media partner, extending the awards' reach across the Caribbean, France and African territories.
The awards form part of the first Caribbean Elite Weekend Experience from September 18 to 20, opening with a welcome reception on Friday and closing on Sunday with the Stars and Steel Concert and Awards.
Presented by Tourism Trinidad Limited with support from the Tobago Tourism Agency Limited, the Ministry of Trade, Investment and Tourism and Global Trinidad and Tobago, the ceremony will be hosted by Nailah Blackman and Majah Hype.
It will honour Shyne, Calypso Rose, Alan Cavé and Patra for their "lasting contributions to Caribbean music and culture".
