Jamaican singer Naomi Cowan has won the 2026 Reggae Recording of the Year at the Juno Awards for her 12-track debut album Welcome to Paradise.
The award was presented Saturday night at the 50th staging of the awards, held in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, at the TD Coliseum.
Other nominees in the category included Deh Ya by Kirk Diamond; Dagga Riddim Cypher by Jojo, You Made That, Yung 2Ruff, Erin B, Topman Meeko, One Don and Enzooo; Ready For You by Exco Levi and Kheilstone; and More Reggae (Funk it Up) by Samora and Ammoye.
In accepting the award, Cowan thanked several individuals, including Toddla T, producer of the album, as well as her parents, reggae veterans Tommy Cowan and Carlene Davis, and her management team.
“It has been the honour of my life to be a reggae artiste. Reggae is a genre that has healed thousands of people around the world and has transcended many boundaries. So, this award is for the genre of reggae music. To my mom and dad, thank you so much for choosing each other over and over, for unconditionally loving me, because you inspired this album. To God, my ultimate creative director, thank you,” Cowan said.
She added, “I also have to thank the Government of Canada, my producing partners, my team, Rob, Jeff, Nate the Great and everyone who played a part. Big up Jamaica.”
Cowan’s win marks the 10th time a female artist has captured the Reggae Recording of the Year category, which was formerly known as Best Reggae/Calypso Recording and Best Reggae Recording.
Born into Jamaican musical royalty, Cowan is the daughter of reggae icons Tommy Cowan and Carlene Davis. She also portrayed Marcia Griffiths in the film Bob Marley: One Love.
The win represents a major milestone for Cowan, whose debut album Welcome to Paradise now joins a distinguished list of JUNO-winning reggae recordings, further highlighting Jamaica’s continued global influence in reggae music.
