Reggae singer and producer Onique Clarke has earned a record six nominations for the 2026 Reggae North Music Awards, making him the first artist in the three-year history of the awards to receive six nominations in a single year.
The recognition comes at a pivotal moment in Onique’s growing career, with the Mount Moriah, St. Ann native also set to take the stage as one of the performers at this year’s awards show.
Onique’s latest single, “Fathers,” has been generating buzz among reggae fans and music circles and earned a nomination in the Top Reggae Single category. The reflective track adds to an impressive list of nominations for the singer, who is also in contention for Top Male Vocalist, Artist of the Year, Top Songwriter, Album of the Year, and Top Trap/Dancehall/Reggae/Fusion – Male. The milestone caps a musical journey that began behind the scenes.
Born Onique Clarke and raised in Mount Moriah, a small community in St. Ann located between Cave Valley and Spaulding in Manchester, Onique attended Edwin Allen High School before relocating to Toronto, Canada, in 2013.
He initially built his musical foundation as a producer, working with other artists and coaching performers during recording sessions. His work behind the scenes eventually drew attention to his own vocal ability and songwriting talent. Encouraged by peers, Onique made the transition to recording artist and officially launched his career around 2021.
His emergence as an artist was followed by early chart success. In 2022, Onique gained recognition on the Rebel Vibez Top Ten Canadian Reggae chart, scoring with songs including “Worthy” and “Big Billi,” a collaboration with Blistas.
He continued to build momentum, reaching the number one position on the chart in October 2024 with “This Too Shall Pass,” released through Neqz Records.
Onique has since continued to carve out a space for himself with heartfelt and reflective reggae music. His latest recognition for “Fathers” signals that his music is resonating beyond the studio and onto the awards circuit.
With a record six nominations and a performance slot on the 2026 Reggae North Music Awards lineup, Onique enters this year’s ceremony as one of the artists to watch.
For an artist who began his journey producing and coaching others behind the scenes, the six-nomination milestone represents a significant turning point — and another step forward in establishing Onique Clarke as a notable voice in Canada.