Haitian Konpa takes center stage at 2026 Caribbean Music Awards

Konpa has earned its own spotlight at this year’s Caribbean Music Awards, with a wave of Haitian artists and bands nominated across the show’s dedicated Konpa categories ahead of the ceremony’s return to Trinidad and Tobago this month.

The 2026 Caribbean Music Awards will unfold over three days, September 18 through 20, at the National Academy for the Performing Arts (NAPA) in Port of Spain, according to the event’s official website. The weekend includes a welcome reception and experience village on the opening Friday, a pre-show and red-carpet experience ahead of Saturday’s main ceremony.

Six nominees for Konpa Artist of the Year

The awards’ Konpa Artist of the Year category features six nominees: Harmonik, Joé Dwèt Filé, Kaï, T-Vice, Vayb and Rutshelle Guillaume, according to the official nominee page on caribmusicawards.com. The category description on the site says the award “recognizes outstanding achievements in Konpa music, honoring individuals and groups who have made significant contributions to the genre,” citing artists, musicians and producers who have “captivat[ed] audiences with their infectious rhythms, soulful melodies, and dynamic performances.”

Konpa Song of the Year nominees

In the companion Konpa Song of the Year category, six tracks are up for the award, per the official nominee page: “4 Kampé II” by Joé Dwèt Filé and Burna Boy; “Bezwen Ou” by Fridayy and Joé Dwèt Filé; “Ban’m Tout Afe’m” by Harmonik and Kenny Haiti; “Can’t Get Over You” by Rutshelle Guillaume; “Ti Manmi” by L-Won; and “Kimoun Ou Ye” by Teddy Hashtag and L-Won.

The category recognizes what organizers describe as a single track that has “transcended the ordinary, captivating audiences with artistry, innovation, and emotional depth,” with winners determined in part through public voting promoted on the awards’ website.

A growing platform for Haitian music

The strength of this year’s Konpa slate reflects the genre’s expanding footprint on regional and international stages, with artists like Joé Dwèt Filé drawing collaborations from outside the Haitian music scene, including his nominated pairing with Nigerian star Burna Boy and R&B singer Fridayy.

Longtime konpa mainstays T-Vice and Harmonik appear alongside newer chart presences such as Vayb and L-Won, while Rutshelle Guillaume is nominated in both the artist and song categories.

Winners are expected to be announced during the main awards ceremony on September 19 at NAPA