Naomi Cowan’s ‘Welcome to Paradise’ wins JUNO Award for Reggae Recording of the Year
Singer Naomi Cowan’s 12-track debut album Welcome to Paradise is the winner of the 2026 JUNO Award for Reggae Recording of the Year.
The award was presented to Cowan Saturday night at the 50th staging of the awards, which was held in Hamilton, Ontario at the TD Coliseum.
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, were the other nominees in the category.
In accepting the award, Cowan thanked a number of individuals, including Toddla T, the producer of the album, her parents Tommy Cowan and Carlene Davis as well as 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,” said Cowan.
She continued, “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.”
Canadian R&B singer Jully Black whose parents are Jamaican immigrants, and rapper/producer Saukrates, who earlier won the award for Rap Single of the Year, for their collaboration with Tobi, were seen standing and applauding Cowan during her acceptance speech.
This is the 10th time that a female has won the Reggae Recording of the Year category, which was formerly known as Best Reggae/Calypso Recording and Best Reggae Recording.
Canadian singer Liberty Silver won in 1985 for Heaven Must Have Sent You which featured Otis Gayle, while Jamaican born dub poet and singer Lillian Allen won in 1986 with Revolutionary Tea Party and again in 1989 with Conditions Critical.
Kingston-born Carla Marshall was the winner in 1995 with Class and Credential, while Linstead born Nana McLean took home the trophy in 1997 for her self-titled album.
Barbados born Sonia Collymore’s You Won’t See Me Cry won 2003. She also won in 2005 for What You See is What You Get.
Likkle Bit But Mi Tallawah by Bahrain born Elaine ‘Lil Bit’ Shepherd secured the win in 2011, and Montreal born Tome won in 2021 for I Pay, a collaboration with Sean Kingston.
