Jamaican dancehall artiste Skippa has added another major achievement to his growing career after being recognized as Billboard’s 2026 Caribbean Rising Star in New York.

The recognition came during Billboard’s R&B/Hip-Hop Power Players festivities, giving the young Jamaican artiste another international platform to represent Caribbean music.

For Skippa, however, the moment was about more than his own career. During his acceptance speech, he highlighted the importance of Billboard recognizing emerging talent from the Caribbean.

“Not just for acknowledging rising stars, but young Caribbean rising stars.”

Skippa thanked Billboard for the recognition before acknowledging Kyle, whom he credited as one of the main factors behind an opportunity such as this.

He also expressed appreciation for his team and the fans who have continued to support his music through streaming platforms, live performances and social media.

“Every stream, every show, every like, every reshare, that really helps put Skippa on a pedestal to be acknowledged for something like Billboard.”

The artiste then called on the audience to celebrate Caribbean music, asking, “Can we make some noise for Caribbean music?”

Skippa Explains Why the Moment Was Personal

Skippa also used his speech to explain why receiving the recognition in New York carried particular significance for him.

Although he is from Jamaica, the artiste lives in Brooklyn, making the recognition in the city especially meaningful.

“I’m from Jamaica, but I live in Brooklyn. So this also means a lot more to me.”

The comment reflected the connection between his Jamaican background and his life in the United States, while also highlighting the role of the Caribbean diaspora in supporting the region’s music.

Skippa closed his remarks by again thanking Billboard, his team, God and his family.

Skippa’s Career Continues to Gain International Attention

The Billboard recognition comes during a period of increasing international attention for the Jamaican artiste.

Skippa, whose real name is Tahjay Clarke, has developed a sound that blends contemporary dancehall with trap and hip-hop influences.

Billboard previously included him among its Hip-Hop, R&B and Caribbean Artists to Watch for 2026, highlighting the momentum surrounding his career.

His streaming numbers have also continued to grow. Billboard reported that Skippa’s music generated 29.3 million official on-demand streams in the United States during 2026 through August 2.

His seven-track #SkippaHolic EP had also surpassed 6.1 million official streams by the time of Billboard’s August profile.

The numbers provide an indication of the growing audience for Skippa’s music outside Jamaica, particularly as he continues to build his presence in the United States.

Billboard Performance Adds to the Milestone

The Caribbean Rising Star recognition comes ahead of another important New York appearance for Skippa.

He is scheduled to perform at Billboard R&B/Hip-Hop Live at Brooklyn Steel on September 10, alongside artistes including Lucky Daye, Yung Miami, kwn, Samara Cyn and Destin Conrad.

The performance gives Skippa another opportunity to introduce his music to an international audience while representing Jamaica and the wider Caribbean on a major industry stage.

A Significant Moment for Caribbean Music

Throughout his acceptance speech, Skippa repeatedly returned to the importance of Caribbean representation.

Rather than treating the recognition solely as a personal accomplishment, he used the moment to draw attention to the wider community of Caribbean artistes working to gain international recognition.

His acknowledgement of streams, shows, likes and reshares also highlighted the different ways fans contribute to the growth of an emerging artiste.

As Skippa continues to develop his career between Jamaica and New York, the Billboard Caribbean Rising Star recognition represents another important step in his journey.

For Jamaican dancehall and Caribbean music more broadly, his moment in New York provided another opportunity for the region’s emerging talent to receive attention on an international stage.

Skippa’s Acceptance Speech

“First of all, I’d like to say thank you to Billboard, not just for acknowledging rising stars, but young Caribbean rising stars.”

“I’d also like to thank my team, my fans, every stream, every show, every like, every reshare. That really helps put Skippa on a pedestal to be acknowledged for something like Billboard.”

“I’m from Jamaica, but I live in Brooklyn. So this also means a lot more to me.”

“Thanks again to Billboard, my team, God, and my family.”