Dominica’s Mr Ridge has won Bouyon Artist of the Year at the 2026 Caribbean Music Awards, securing the title for the third consecutive year.
Dominica: The Ministry of Tourism, International Transport and Maritime Initiatives has shared that Bouyon artist Coleridge Bell, famously known as Mr. Ridge, has been named as Bouyon Artist of the Year at the 2026 Caribbean Music Awards. Having won the inaugural category in 2024 and 2025, his 2026 win marks an unprecedented three consecutive crowns for the genre.
In the category, Ridge was nominated alongside other Dominican artists, including Asa Bantan, Reo, Shelly & Signal Band, Dirty Dawg Pudaz and Trilla G. Dominica was featured in other categories, including Bouyon Song of the Year where Shiloh, Khallion, Reo, Shelly & Signal Band, Dirty Dawg Pudaz were also mentioned.
The Ministry of Tourism shared this information on its official Facebook page, underscoring the importance of this title and congratulating Ridge for once again representing the country on a regional and international music scene.
"Congratulations to Ridge on securing Bouyon Artist of the Year for the third time! This is a proud moment for Bouyon and for Dominica," shared the Ministry of Tourism.
Dominica Festivals also wrote, "Congratulations to Dominica’s Ridge on securing his third Caribbean Music Award for Bouyon Artist of the Year, another major moment for the artist and for Dominica’s homegrown sound on the regional stage."
The Caribbean Music Awards were held in Trinidad and Tobago on Friday, September 19, 2026, at the National Academy for the Preforming Arts (NAPA) in Port of Spain. This year's awards were sponsored by Dominica's Ministry of Tourism, which shared its commitment to ensuring that local artists, the creative industry and Dominica as a whole benefit from the growing success of bouyon music.
Ahead of the Music Awards Minister of Tourism, Denise Charles Pemberton, congratulated the artists for their nominations, noting that Bouyon has continued to gain recognition across the Caribbean and internationally.
"Their nominations are another sign that Bouyon is growing, our artists are breaking new ground, and the world is paying attention to music that was created right here in Dominica. At the Ministry of Tourism, we see our music and creative industries as an important part of our tourism product and our national identity. When Bouyon travels, Dominica travels with it," shared Minster Pemberton.
The Minister of Tourism has encouraged Dominicans at home and abroad to support local artists as they play a major role in representing the country through its music and culture.