Snubs & Surprises at 2026 Caribbean Music Awards: Is ‘Dansa’ Really a Dennery Segment Song?
Lady Lava led the winners at the 2026 Caribbean Music Awards with four trophies, but the ceremony also drew debate over who and what was recognised. The main controversy centred on “Dansa” winning Dennery segment song of the year, prompting questions about whether the track represents a genre developed in Saint Lucia.
The awards were held in Port of Spain on 18 September, the first time the ceremony took place in the Caribbean, and the broadcast premiered on YouTube on 25 October. Jamaican-American artist Klassik Frescobar’s “Dansa”, produced over a beat by Saint Lucian DJ Kalli, beat an all-Lucian shortlist; critics pointed to its lack of Kwéyòl lyrics and its distance from the genre’s current sound, while artist Umpa said its crossover success may have helped it win.
In short
- Lady Lava won four awards.
- “Dansa” sparked debate over Dennery segment’s identity.
- The ceremony was held in Trinidad for the first time.
Steelman: both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
“Dansa” can be seen as a Dennery segment song because it was built on a beat by Saint Lucian DJ Kalli, and the genre can evolve beyond its earliest sound or language. Recognising a widely heard crossover track may also reflect the music’s growing reach and bring attention to its Saint Lucian roots.
The case against
The award should recognise songs that clearly represent Dennery segment as it is made and understood in Saint Lucia today. Critics argue that “Dansa” lacks Kwéyòl lyrics and departs from the genre’s current sound, while its victory over an all-Lucian shortlist raises concern that crossover appeal may have outweighed local musical identity.
Explained simply
Dennery segment is a dance music style that developed in Saint Lucia and is associated with the island’s music scene. It is often performed in Kwéyòl, the French-based Creole spoken in Saint Lucia, though artists may also draw on other languages and sounds.
The Caribbean Music Awards recognise music from across the region and its diaspora. “Dansa” is by Jamaican-American artist Klassik Frescobar, with a beat produced by Saint Lucian DJ Kalli. Its award has raised questions about how the genre is defined and whether a song’s connection to Saint Lucia, its sound or its wider popularity should matter most.