Ghanaian-American singer Moliy has claimed a historic victory at the 2026 Caribbean Music Awards, taking home the Dancehall Song of the Year prize for her global hit “Shake It to the Max (Fly) Remix.”

The win, confirmed through her celebratory social media post and reports from music outlets, marks the first time a Ghanaian artist has secured an award at the ceremony.

Moliy, whose full name is Moliy Ama Montgomery, shared images of herself holding the distinctive black-and-gold trophy while seated in the audience at the National Academy for the Performing Arts (NAPA) in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago. In her post, the 24-year-old simply declared “DANCEHALL SONG OF THE YEAR BAGGED” alongside Ghanaian flag and heart emojis, tagging the official awards account.

The photos show her beaming in a vibrant red outfit with braided hair and long nails, trophy in hand, against the backdrop of a packed theater.

The fourth annual Caribbean Music Awards took place on September 19, 2026, marking a significant milestone as the event moved to the Caribbean for the first time after three years in Brooklyn, New York. The ceremony formed the centerpiece of the inaugural Caribbean Elite Weekend Experience, drawing artists, industry figures, and fans to Trinidad and Tobago for performances, networking, and celebrations of regional sounds including dancehall, soca, reggae, and more.

Billboard served as the official global media partner, covering the red carpet where Moliy spoke about her nominations and the success of the track.

“Shake It to the Max (Fly) Remix,” featuring Jamaican stars Shenseea and Skillibeng alongside producer Silent Addy, entered the awards as the most-nominated song of the year. It earned three nods in the dancehall categories: Song of the Year, Video of the Year, and Collaboration of the Year.

The original version, released in 2024 with Silent Addy, gained massive traction through TikTok challenges before the star-studded remix amplified its reach. The track crossed into mainstream charts, appearing on the Billboard Hot 100 and topping the UK Afrobeats Singles Chart while peaking high on the UK singles chart.

This latest honor builds on earlier recognition for the same song. At the 27th Telecel Ghana Music Awards earlier in 2026, Moliy secured two wins with the remix: International Collaboration of the Year and Best Reggae/Dancehall Song of the Year. Those victories already signaled her growing influence in blending Afrobeats, dancehall, and alternative sounds.

Her earlier breakthrough came via a feature on Amaarae’s “Sad Girlz Luv Money” remix with Kali Uchis, which charted on the Billboard Hot 100 and in the UK.

Born on October 4, 2001, in Accra, Ghana, Moliy spent parts of her upbringing between Ghana and the United States, including time in Florida. She has described a childhood steeped in music, with family gatherings, gospel influences, and a wide range of international sounds from her mother’s restaurant and bar.

After briefly attending college in the US and working retail, she returned to Accra to pursue music full-time, releasing her debut EP Wondergirl in 2020. Subsequent projects, including Honey Doom and the more recent BADDIES <3 MOLIY>, have solidified her Afro-fusion style that mixes highlife, R&B, dancehall, and pop elements.

Public Reaction

Industry observers note the win as further evidence of the deepening connections between African and Caribbean music scenes. Cross-genre collaborations have increasingly blurred traditional boundaries, with tracks like Moliy’s finding audiences across continents through streaming platforms and social media.

The Caribbean Music Awards, which feature extensive fan voting alongside industry recognition, highlight both established stars and emerging voices from the region and its diaspora. Nominees this year included heavyweights such as Vybz Kartel, Masicka, Shenseea, and Lady Lava, who led overall nominations.

Moliy’s presence at the Trinidad event underscored her rising profile. Beyond the award, she took part in red carpet interviews discussing the song’s organic success and her upcoming work. Fans and fellow artists quickly congratulated her online, with several Ghanaian media accounts emphasizing the historic nature of a Ghanaian claiming the dancehall song prize at a major Caribbean ceremony.

Posts highlighted the trophy photos and celebrated the cultural bridge the win stands for.

The achievement arrives amid a busy period for the artist. “Shake It to the Max” has continued to accumulate streams and cultural moments, from dance challenges to playlist dominance. Moliy has spoken in past interviews about creating music that feels authentic to her dual heritage while aiming for club and global appeal.

Her ability to collaborate seamlessly with Caribbean artists has expanded her reach beyond traditional Afrobeats audiences.

As the Caribbean Music Awards continue to grow in stature and shift closer to the region’s heartland, wins like Moliy’s signal an increasingly inclusive recognition of the global influences shaping contemporary Caribbean and African popular music.

For the Ghanaian singer, the black trophy is not only personal success but a broader affirmation of the vibrant exchange happening across the Atlantic. With new music on the horizon and an expanding international footprint, Moliy’s latest accolade positions her as a key figure in that ongoing conversation.

Supporters in Ghana and the diaspora have already begun calling the moment a proud chapter for local talent on the world stage. The full list of 2026 winners across more than 40 categories continue to circulate as the weekend’s events wrap up in Trinidad and Tobago.