BRAMPTON, ONTARIO — October 2, 2026 — Canada’s reggae and dancehall group got here collectively at The Rose Theatre Brampton on September 27 for the Third Annual Reggae North Music Awards (RNMA), a night that celebrated the artists, musicians, DJs, producers, songwriters, broadcasters and cultural contributors serving to to form the nation’s reggae ecosystem.
Offered by the Reggae North Cultural Affiliation in a Group Arts Partnership with The Rose, the awards have turn out to be a platform for recognizing the breadth of reggae and associated musical genres being created, carried out and promoted in Canada.
The 2026 version introduced collectively an in depth roster of Canadian expertise; whereas additionally welcoming Jamaican reggae star Duane Stephenson, whose look added a global dimension to an awards program firmly rooted in Canada’s music and cultural group. With greater than 20 award classes and a lineup of dwell performances, the night demonstrated the vary of expertise working throughout reggae, dancehall, gospel, fusion and associated genres.
Recognizing Canada’s Reggae Expertise
A central focus of the night was the popularity of Canadian artists and music professionals whose work continues to contribute to the expansion of reggae in Canada.
Veteran artist Jay Douglas obtained the celebrated Dwelling Legend Award, acknowledging his longstanding contribution to reggae music and tradition.
The Group of the 12 months award went to The Human Rights, whereas Memberz Syndicate obtained Album of the 12 months for “Set Me Free.”
Ammoye was named Entertainer of the 12 months, whereas the vocal classes acknowledged I Noah as Male Vocalist of the 12 months and Jurney Star as Feminine Vocalist of the 12 months.
The awards additionally acknowledged the essential position performed by radio and DJs in constructing audiences for reggae. Wayne Vernon was named Radio DJ of the 12 months, with Tugstar and Phenique receiving the Male and Feminine DJ of the 12 months awards respectively.
Recognizing the music behind the music
The awards prolonged past performers to acknowledge songwriters, producers, selectors and different contributors who’re important to the reggae ecosystem.
Onique obtained two main honours, taking dwelling Reggae Single of the 12 months (Male) for “Fathers” and Songwriter of the 12 months.
DJ Kemo was named Producer of the 12 months, whereas King Klepto obtained the Sound/Conflict/Dancehall Selector of the 12 months award. DJ Flare was acknowledged as Membership/Occasion/Dancehall Selector of the 12 months.
The awards additionally mirrored the more and more numerous musical panorama surrounding up to date reggae.
Samora and Ammoye received Entice/Fusion Single of the 12 months (Feminine) for “Extra Reggae (Funk It Up),” whereas Tugstar received the male class for “Cucumba.”
Within the dancehall classes, Neto Yuth and Anthony B obtained Dancehall Tune of the 12 months (Male) for “So Lengthy,” whereas Kae Music received the feminine class for “Tic Toc Pon It.”
Sone G was acknowledged with the Gospel Tune of the 12 months award for “Rescue Me.”
The Video of the 12 months honour went to Jazmin Headley that includes Richie Stephenson and Bounty Killa for “The Fireplace Inside.”
The Reggae Single of the 12 months (Feminine) award went to Eddie Bullen that includes Tasha T, Mel Dube and Kandice Kash for “Present Us the Approach.”
Collectively, the classes mirrored a reggae group that extends effectively past the standard boundaries of the style.
A Showcase of Canadian Performers
The awards weren’t solely about recognition. The night additionally supplied a stage for dwell performances from a various group of artists.
The lineup included Tony Anthony, Zackious Cooper, Tugstar, Andru Department, Celena, Sone G, Paris Ivy, Jazmin Headley, Onique.
The performances showcased completely different sides of latest reggae and dancehall. The occasion additionally demonstrated the position that community-based awards can play in creating alternatives for artists whose work is commonly developed exterior Canada’s largest business music platforms.
Connecting Canada to the Worldwide Reggae Group
Though the first focus of RNMA is Canada’s reggae group, the 2026 ceremony additionally highlighted the longstanding connection between Canadian reggae and the worldwide reggae motion.
Jamaican reggae star Duane Stephenson grew to become the primary reggae star from exterior Canada to carry out on the Reggae North Music Awards.
Stephenson was additionally named the inaugural recipient of the Reggae North Ambassador Award, whereas Mayor Patrick Brown introduced him with a Metropolis of Brampton quotation recognizing his contribution to reggae music.
His half-hour efficiency, which included songs corresponding to “Cottage in Negril,” “August City,” “Idiot for You” and “Ghetto Ache,” supplied one of many night’s worldwide highlights.
Reggae, Tradition and Group in Brampton
The selection of The Rose Theatre Brampton because the venue additionally displays the more and more essential position of reggae inside Canada’s multicultural arts panorama.
By means of its Group Arts Partnership with The Rose, RNMA brings a distinctly reggae-focused celebration into one in all Brampton’s established cultural areas.
For artists and audiences alike, the awards symbolize greater than a single night time of leisure. They supply a gathering level for a group that features performers, broadcasters, DJs, producers, promoters, entrepreneurs and followers.
Assist From Sponsors and Group Companions
The expansion of the Reggae North Music Awards has additionally been supported by companies, organizations and group companions.
Sponsors and supporters of the 2026 awards included Tasjay Productions, Humanity Ova Vainness (HOV), Grace Kennedy, Caribbean Queen Jerk, CJ’s Punch, Stream 987, Coca-Cola Canada, Lengthy & McQuade, Reggae North Radio and The Rose.
Trying Forward
The Third Annual Reggae North Music Awards highlighted the depth of Canada’s reggae and dancehall group and the number of folks contributing to its continued improvement.
As Reggae North seems towards future editions, the third annual ceremony at The Rose Theatre marked one other step in constructing a devoted platform for reggae music and tradition in Canada.
For one night time in Brampton, the highlight was firmly on the Canadian reggae group — its artists, its music, its cultural roots and the folks working to make sure that reggae continues to have a powerful and acknowledged place on Canada’s cultural stage.
