Caribbean Top 10 of all time: "La Vida Es Un Carnaval" by Celia Cruz in the lead this week

NAGO's Top 10 Caribbean songs of all time for the week of November 9, 2026, is topped by Celia Cruz with "La Vida Es Un Carnaval." Each week, this chart rotates 10 tracks chosen from a selection of 69 classics of the genre.

This week's selection

1. Celia Cruz — "La Vida Es Un Carnaval" (1998, salsa)
2. Harry Belafonte — "Day-O (The Banana Boat Song)" (1956, calypso)
3. Perle Lama — "Aime Moi Plus Fort" (2006, zouk, album "Mizikasoleil")
4. Kaysha — "Something Going On" (2006, zouk, album "Something Going On (Kompa Gouyad Extended Mix)")
5. Mighty Sparrow — "Jean and Dinah" (1956, calypso)
6. Aventura — "Obsesión" (2002, bachata)
7. Perle Lama — "Emmène-Moi Avec Toi" (2006, zouk)
8. Koffee — "Toast" (2018, reggae)
9. Jimmy Cliff — "The Harder They Come" (1972, reggae)
10. Medhy Custos — "Elles demandent" (2006, zouk, album "Le Grand Méchant Zouk : Anthologie")

From one era to another

The selection covers the years 1956 to 2018: the oldest track is Harry Belafonte — "Day-O (The Banana Boat Song)," released in 1956, and the most recent is Koffee — "Toast," released in 2018.

The complete chart, with album covers and listening options, can be found on the NAGO Top 10 Caribbean songs of all time page.