Moliy clinches Dancehall Song of the Year at 2026 Caribbean Music Awards

Key Takeaways

• Ghanaian vocalist Moliy wins Dancehall Song of the Year at the 2026 Caribbean Music Awards.
• The award honors the remix "Shake It to the Max (Fly)" featuring Shenseea and Skillibeng.
• The achievement highlights Ghana’s expanding footprint in Caribbean-origin genres.

Moliy Ama Montgomery, known professionally as Moliy, received the Dancehall Song of the Year trophy during the 2026 Caribbean Music Awards held in Kingston, Jamaica. The ceremony, attended by leading artists from across the Caribbean and Africa, marked a rare convergence of the two musical cultures.

"Shake It to the Max (Fly) Remix" topped streaming charts in more than 30 territories, driven by the synergy between Moliy’s melodic sensibility and the Jamaican vocal styles of Shenseea and Skillibeng. The track’s crossover appeal has been cited as a catalyst for broader acceptance of West African artists in dancehall circles.

Background & Context

Dancehall, originating in 1970s Jamaica, has long been a conduit for diaspora connections, yet African participation remained peripheral until the late 2010s. Moliy’s earlier releases blended Afro‑R&B with electronic production, positioning her as a bridge between Ghanaian pop and global rhythms.

The 2026 awards reflect a strategic shift by the Caribbean Music Awards to recognize non‑Caribbean contributors who have reshaped the genre’s soundscape. This policy aligns with the increasing digital exchange of music through platforms such as Spotify and YouTube, where algorithmic playlists blur regional boundaries.

Artistic Collaboration and Production

The remix was co‑produced by Jamaican beatmaker RiddimMaster and Ghanaian studio engineer Kofi "Beatz" Mensah, merging dancehall riddims with Afrobeat percussive textures. Lyrically, the song retains the original’s call‑to‑movement theme while incorporating patois‑inflected verses that resonate with Caribbean audiences.

Shenseea’s verse introduces a female empowerment narrative, complementing Moliy’s vocal delivery, while Skillibeng contributes a rapid‑fire bridge that reinforces the track’s club‑ready energy. The collaborative process, conducted largely via remote sessions, exemplifies the post‑pandemic model of cross‑continental music creation.

Industry Impact and Future Prospects

Moliy’s award signals to record labels and promoters that African artists can command credibility within traditionally Caribbean‑dominated categories. Booking agents have reported heightened demand for Moliy in Caribbean festival line‑ups, suggesting a commercial ripple effect.

Analysts project that the success of "Shake It to the Max (Fly) Remix" will inspire additional Afro‑Caribbean partnerships, potentially reshaping streaming algorithms to favor hybrid tracks. The accolade may also influence policy discussions within Ghana’s Ministry of Tourism about leveraging music as cultural export.

Looking Ahead

Moliy is slated to release a full‑length album that expands on the dancehall fusion explored in the award‑winning remix. Anticipation surrounds how the artist will navigate the expectations set by this recognition while maintaining artistic authenticity.

The Caribbean Music Awards’ acknowledgment of a Ghanaian performer may encourage future editions to adopt a more inclusive nomination framework, fostering a transatlantic dialogue that enriches both musical traditions.