The Caribbean Music Awards is doing something major this year: they’re taking the whole thing back home. For the first time ever, the ceremony is leaving Brooklyn and heading to Port of Spain, Trinidad & Tobago on September 19. That’s a big statement. Caribbean culture gets its flowers on its own soil, at the National Academy for the Performing Arts, no less. This isn’t just an awards show anymore, it’s a three-day Elite Weekend Experience with cultural events and a steelpan showcase. That’s how you honor the culture.Now let’s talk about the honorees.

Shyne, the former Bad Boy rapper turned Belizean politician, is picking up the Global Ambassador Honor. That’s a wild transition, from hip hop royalty to political leader, and now he’s getting recognized for carrying Caribbean culture worldwide. Patra, the Jamaican reggae queen, gets the Lifetime Achievement Honor. Calypso Rose, who made history with her Coachella debut at 78, gets the Elite Calypso Honor. And Alan Cavé takes the Elite Konpa Honor, right as the awards add konpa, zess and dennery song of the year categories. The culture is expanding, and the awards are expanding with it. Big look for the islands.