Alison Hinds Joins Caribbean Music Awards as Ceremony Makes Trinidad Debut

Barbadian soca artist Alison Hinds was among the presenters at the 2026 Caribbean Music Awards, as the annual ceremony made its debut in Trinidad and Tobago on Saturday, September 19.

Hinds joined a lineup of Caribbean entertainers and industry figures at the fourth annual awards, held at the National Academy for the Performing Arts in Port of Spain. The ceremony brought together artists and contributors from across the region and its diaspora to celebrate Caribbean music and its influence across genres.

The presenter lineup included Ghanaian singer Moliy, Trinidadian soca artist Yung Bredda, Jessie Woo, Angela Hunte, Terri Lyons, Ayetian, Seani B, Lyrikal and DJ Bravo.

For Hinds, the appearance brought one of Barbados’ most recognisable soca voices into a ceremony spanning the region’s diverse musical traditions.

She first rose to prominence as the lead vocalist of Square One before establishing a solo career. Her catalogue includes “Roll It Gal,” which became one of her signature songs and helped introduce her music to audiences beyond the Caribbean.

Hinds’ participation also builds on her previous recognition at the Caribbean Music Awards. In 2024, she received the Elite Icon Award, acknowledging her contribution to Caribbean music.

This year’s ceremony marked a change of location for the awards, which had previously been held in New York. Its move to Trinidad and Tobago placed the event in one of the Caribbean’s central hubs for soca and carnival culture.

The awards formed part of the Caribbean Elite Weekend Experience, which ran from September 18 to 20 and brought music and entertainment events to Trinidad and Tobago.

The 2026 programme featured performers from across the Caribbean, reflecting the awards’ broad focus on the region’s musical landscape, including soca, dancehall, reggae and other genres.

Hinds’ appearance underscored the role of established Caribbean artists in an event designed to bring the region’s music industries and audiences together.