Caribbean Music Chart Watch: Dancehall, Reggae & Soca — October 22, 2026

By Dante Jackson, Entertainment Editor | Caribbean EMagazine

October's Caribbean music competition is becoming increasingly unpredictable, with significant developments across dancehall, reggae and soca. The biggest change this week belongs to Masicka and Damian “Jr. Gong” Marley, whose collaboration “1 Psalm” has climbed to No. 1 on Jamaica's Reggae Top 25.

In dancehall, Shaneil Muir continues to lead Jamaica's traditional rotation chart with “Man Fi Be Man,” while Malie Donn remains dominant on Apple Music Jamaica. Meanwhile, the soca industry is preparing for Carnival 2027, with new recordings entering contemporary DJ selections.

CEM's independent monthly Top 10 charts consider digital consumption, radio activity, sound-system rotation, nightclub exposure, record-shop activity, audience engagement, cultural impact and longevity. This weekly assessment examines the strongest available evidence before October's official monthly rankings are finalized.

Dancehall Watch: Shaneil Muir Holds No. 1 for a Second Week

Shaneil Muir's “Man Fi Be Man” has retained No. 1 on Jamaica's Dancehall Top 25 for October 16–22. The song has spent 11 weeks on the chart, including two consecutive weeks at the summit. Its success reflects sustained rotation rather than a short-lived digital spike.

The traditional chart, compiled by broadcaster Richard “Richie B” Burgess, draws on sound systems, record shops, nightclubs and radio. Since “Man Fi Be Man” did not appear on CEM's September Top 10, it is now a strong candidate for October's Highest New Entry.

Squash, Masicka and Kraff Gad Strengthen Their Positions

“16” by Squash and Masicka remains at No. 2 on the traditional dancehall chart after 13 weeks. Masicka and Kraff Gad's “Honor Roll” has climbed from No. 6 to No. 3, an important three-position rise for a song that finished September at No. 3 on CEM's dancehall ranking.

“Honor Roll” was also No. 5 on Apple Music Jamaica on October 21. Its combination of traditional rotation and digital performance strengthens its argument for a high October position.

Malie Donn Remains Dancehall's Digital Leader

On October 21, Malie Donn's “Vancleef Pt 2” remained No. 1 on Apple Music Jamaica, while the original “Van Cleef” occupied No. 3. The original remains on the traditional dancehall chart at No. 7 after previously spending three weeks at No. 1.

“Vancleef Pt 2” has also entered the traditional chart at No. 23, indicating that its appeal is beginning to extend beyond streaming. Malie Donn remains a leading candidate to retain CEM's October dancehall No. 1, although Shaneil Muir and other competitors make the race far from settled.

Skippa's “Money Walk” Continues Its Breakout Run

“Money Walk,” the collaboration by DJ Mac, Skippa and CrashDummy, occupied No. 2 on Apple Music Jamaica on October 21. Sustained performance immediately behind Malie Donn suggests the record has moved beyond an initial release surge.

Skippa's “Glocks and Chips” occupied No. 6 on Apple Music Jamaica and “Detox” remained No. 9. Both appeared on CEM's September Top 10 and deserve recognition for longevity. “Money Walk” is a leading candidate for October's Highest New Entry.

“Yes Sah” and “Time Capsule” Remain Contenders

“Yes Sah” by DJ Mac, CrashDummy and Adofo occupied No. 4 on Apple Music Jamaica on October 21. Valiant's “Time Capsule” was No. 8 and remains active on the traditional dancehall chart. Both deserve consideration, but their final monthly placements should account for breadth of rotation as well as digital demand.

Dancehall's Potential Fallers

Squash's “Psychic,” CEM's September No. 5, fell from No. 11 to No. 14 on Jamaica's traditional Dancehall Top 25. Merkz and Feloni19's “Rich MF” slipped from No. 12 to No. 15, while 450's “World On Fire” stood at No. 25.

These records have demonstrated earlier impact, but declining current rotation should be weighed against stronger recent momentum. Chronic Law's “Fi the Streets,” by contrast, climbed from No. 20 to No. 18, indicating renewed traction.

Reggae Watch: Masicka and Damian Marley Take No. 1

The most consequential reggae development this week is the rise of “1 Psalm” by Masicka and Damian “Jr. Gong” Marley. The collaboration climbed from No. 3 to No. 1 on Jamaica's Reggae Top 25 for October 16–22, earning its first week at the summit after eight weeks on the chart.

“1 Psalm” also occupied No. 10 on Apple Music Jamaica on October 21. Its combination of traditional reggae rotation and digital consumption gives it a strong cross-platform profile. After finishing September at No. 7 on CEM's reggae chart, the song is a major candidate for October's biggest climber and potentially No. 1.

“Give Thanks” Remains a Major Challenger

Future Fambo and Sheenwrks' “Give Thanks” remains No. 2 on Jamaica's Reggae Top 25 after 14 weeks, including two earlier weeks at No. 1. It finished September at No. 3 on CEM's chart and continues to demonstrate sustained rotation.

The contest between “Give Thanks” and “1 Psalm” illustrates the distinction between longevity and fresh upward momentum. Both deserve prominent consideration, although “1 Psalm” currently benefits from a new No. 1 achievement.

Richie Stephens Slips After Reaching No. 1

Richie Stephens' “Wet Sugar” has slipped from No. 1 to No. 3 after 15 weeks on Jamaica's reggae chart. That decline does not erase its sustained success. The record remains a serious October Top 10 candidate, although the latest competition has intensified.

Ginjah's “Wata” Faces a Difficult October

Ginjah entered October as CEM's reigning reggae No. 1 with “Wata,” but the song has slipped from No. 9 to No. 10 on Jamaica's Reggae Top 25 after 16 weeks. Its longevity remains meaningful, yet stronger current performances from “1 Psalm,” “Give Thanks” and “Wet Sugar” could reshape October's rankings.

Reggae's Longevity Leaders and Emerging Climbers

Stephen Marley's “Hills of St. Ann” has spent 23 weeks on the traditional reggae chart but slipped to No. 14. Buju Banton's “Butterflies” has accumulated 24 weeks and fallen to No. 19. Vernal Sage's “Good Over Evil” remains active after 25 weeks but has slipped to No. 22.

Alaine's “My Last Nerve” climbed from No. 14 to No. 11, while Kabaka Pyramid's “We Dem Wah” advanced from No. 15 to No. 12. Both deserve closer monitoring as possible late-October contenders. Longevity matters, but it should not be confused with accelerating momentum.

Soca Watch: Carnival 2027 Releases Gain DJ Exposure

Soca is entering its Carnival 2027 release cycle. CEM's September chart was led by Patrice Roberts and MadLypso's “Trouble,” followed by Tano and Coutain's “Suga Dumplin.” Those recordings provide the established benchmarks against which newer releases should be measured.

The October 20 edition of Dei Musicale's “Sweet & Dutty Soca” DJ mix featured “Chupidee” by Tano and Kimi, “A Few Of Us” by Bunji Garlin, “Watch Me Work” by Nailah Blackman and “B.Y.O.B” by Nadia Batson. The selection also included “No Type” by Yung Bredda and Don Iko, “Single” by Nadia Batson and Don Iko, and “BET” by Erphaan Alves and Viking Ding Dong.

This is documented DJ exposure, not proof of national radio dominance, broad nightclub rotation or streaming growth. Without comparable verified October soca rankings, these records should be treated as Ones to Watch rather than confirmed chart climbers.

“Chupidee,” Nailah Blackman and Bunji Garlin Enter the Conversation

Tano and Kimi's “Chupidee” entered CEM's September soca chart at No. 5 as the month's Highest New Entry. Its appearance in an October DJ selection indicates continuing relevance. “BET,” which finished September at No. 7, also merits monitoring.

Nailah Blackman's October release “Watch Me Work” and Bunji Garlin's “A Few Of Us” have also entered contemporary DJ programming. Both are promising early Carnival 2027 contenders, but additional radio, DJ and audience evidence is necessary before assigning either a high monthly chart position.

Patrice Roberts and Tano Remain Established Soca Benchmarks

Patrice Roberts and MadLypso's “Trouble” climbed from No. 6 in August to No. 1 on CEM's September soca chart, while Tano and Coutain's “Suga Dumplin” rose from No. 3 to No. 2. Their presence in an October 10 Carnival mix suggests continued DJ exposure, but does not independently establish accelerating momentum.

CEM should not automatically carry September's ranking forward or crown a new October soca leader on limited evidence. New releases must demonstrate sustained performance across more than one promotional or DJ source.

CEM's October Chart Watch: Leading Contenders

Dancehall digital leader: “Vancleef Pt 2” — Malie Donn (No. 1 Apple Music Jamaica, October 21). Traditional rotation leader: “Man Fi Be Man” — Shaneil Muir (two consecutive weeks at No. 1). Breakout contender: “Money Walk” — DJ Mac, Skippa and CrashDummy (No. 2 Apple Music Jamaica). Traditional climber: “Honor Roll” — Masicka and Kraff Gad (No. 6 to No. 3). Potential faller: “Psychic” — Squash (No. 11 to No. 14).

Reggae new No. 1: “1 Psalm” — Masicka and Damian Marley (No. 3 to No. 1). Sustained challenger: “Give Thanks” — Future Fambo and Sheenwrks (No. 2 after 14 weeks). Former No. 1: “Wet Sugar” — Richie Stephens (No. 1 to No. 3). Potential faller: “Wata” — Ginjah (No. 10). Emerging climber: “My Last Nerve” — Alaine (No. 14 to No. 11).

Soca established leader: “Trouble” — Patrice Roberts and MadLypso (CEM September No. 1). Sustained contender: “Chupidee” — Tano and Kimi (October DJ exposure). New-release watches: “Watch Me Work” — Nailah Blackman; “A Few Of Us” — Bunji Garlin; and “B.Y.O.B” — Nadia Batson.

What Happens Next?

The final week of October could produce meaningful changes across CEM's monthly charts. Malie Donn remains the leading dancehall digital performer, but Shaneil Muir's sustained traditional rotation and Skippa's breakout momentum are creating serious competition. Masicka and Kraff Gad's “Honor Roll” has also strengthened its case.

In reggae, “1 Psalm” has emerged as a leading No. 1 candidate, with “Give Thanks” its strongest sustained-rotation challenger. In soca, the competition is still developing, and new Carnival 2027 releases need more evidence before displacing established performers.

Caribbean EMagazine will continue evaluating digital performance, radio and DJ activity, cultural impact and longevity before finalizing October's official Dancehall, Reggae and Soca Top 10 rankings.

Editorial note: CEM Caribbean Music Chart Watch is an independent weekly assessment, not an official monthly chart update. External rankings reflect their respective tracking periods. Comparable October soca streaming totals and comprehensive Trinidad and Tobago radio and nightclub rankings were not independently verified.