The nominees for the 68th Annual Grammy Awards have been revealed. Congratulations to all the artists recognized this year. In the Best Reggae Album category, five outstanding releases made it to the final round, with the winner to be announced on February 1, 2026, in Los Angeles.
Before diving into the nominees, I want to give a shout-out to all the artists and bands who released reggae albums in 2025. It was truly an incredible year for reggae music—arguably the best in a long time. Simply landing in the top five is a huge accomplishment. Looking back, the overall level of quality still surprises me, and it makes me excited to see what 2026 has in store.
I approach this review a little differently each year. I don’t always agree with the eventual winner, but this year feels especially difficult because every nominated album is genuinely strong. As Jamaica continues to pick up the pieces following the devastation caused by Hurricane Melissa, the global reach and resilience of these artists remain a powerful source of pride and celebration.
The five Grammy-nominated albums for Best Reggae Album are:
This marks the second Grammy nomination for both Vybz Kartel and Jesse Royal. Kartel was previously nominated at the 2025 Awards for Party With Me, while Royal earned his first nod in 2022 for Royal. For Lila Iké, Keznamdi, and Mortimer, this is their first Grammy nomination.
The Reggae category recognizes excellence in albums spanning roots reggae, dancehall, and ska. According to the Recording Academy, eligible albums must contain more than 75% new reggae recordings. The eligibility period for the 2026 awards ran from August 31, 2024, through August 30, 2025.
As with my previous Grammy reggae write-ups, I’m reviewing these albums in order of their release dates—not in order of personal preference.
Release Date: September 20, 2024
Mortimer’s 14-track debut album From Within features standout collaborations such as “In My Time” with Damian Marley and “Bruises” with Kabaka Pyramid and Lila Iké. The album has been widely praised as a deeply personal and soulful roots reggae project, celebrated for its raw honesty and emotional depth.
Exploring themes of love, struggle, mental health, and faith, Mortimer delivers vulnerability and strength in equal measure. The album blends traditional reggae foundations with touches of R&B and pop, resulting in a timeless, heartfelt narrative. Clean, thoughtful production from Winta James complements Mortimer’s poetic and accessible lyricism, while the project also highlights a compassionate, introspective side of Jamaican masculinity rarely explored at this level.
“It’s an honor, man,” Mortimer recently told Billboard. “This is like the highest music award ever. We do this for much greater purposes, but it’s great when your effort is recognized.”
Release Date: August 22, 2025
Lila Iké’s debut album Treasure Self Love features standout tracks including “Scatter,” “Fry Plantain” featuring Joey Bada$, “Romantic” with Masicka, and “He Loves Us Both” featuring H.E.R. The album has been widely praised as a powerful, authentic, and genre-blending statement that firmly positions Iké as one of reggae’s brightest new stars.
Blending classic roots reggae with R&B, soul, and dancehall influences, Treasure Self Love explores themes of self-worth, resilience, and cultural heritage through deeply personal storytelling. The album flows seamlessly from track to track and pays homage to reggae legends such as Garnett Silk (“Scatter”) and Patra (the reimagined “Romantic”), creating a project that feels both fresh and nostalgic.
Speaking with Billboard, Iké shared, “Boy, I’m feeling a lot right now. It’s a mixture of feeling proud of myself, super happy, shocked, and anxious.”
Release Date: August 22, 2025
Released the same day as Lila Iké’s album, Keznamdi’s 13-track BLXXD & FYAH includes standout songs such as “Serious Times,” “I Am,” “River Jordan,” and “Pressure.” The project solidifies Keznamdi’s position as one of reggae’s most forward-thinking artists, blending roots traditions with modern global influences.
Featuring collaborations with Kelissa, Mavado, and Marlon Asher, the album serves as both a personal statement and a broader social commentary. Themes of resilience, identity, and resistance run throughout the project. The title itself encapsulates Keznamdi’s vision: “BLXXD” represents sacrifice and struggle, while “FYAH” symbolizes transformation and uprising.
“This year’s nominations are fully an all-Jamaica line-up of basically youts,” Keznamdi told Billboard. “This is a new tidal wave for reggae… it gives us faith that reggae from the roots still has a forefront space at a global level. The work continues—the mission is to keep the fyah burning and carry the culture and Rastafari works forward globally.”
Release Date: August 29, 2025
Vybz Kartel’s 11-track Heart & Soul features songs such as “I Know,” “Bad Bad Bad” featuring Ishawna, and “They’re Outta Love We Aren’t.” The album is a surprisingly vulnerable and emotionally driven project, largely inspired by Kartel’s engagement and personal growth.
Focusing on love, commitment, and heartbreak, Heart & Soul reveals a softer side of the King of Dancehall while maintaining his trademark lyrical sharpness. Many of the tracks stand out for their romantic themes and classic Kartel sound, reflecting a more mature perspective following his time in prison.
“I am profoundly grateful for this recognition,” Kartel told Billboard. “It is difficult to fully articulate the depth of my appreciation.”
Release Date: August 29, 2025
Jesse Royal’s No Place Like Home is a 10-track album featuring highlights such as “Blessing” with Yohan Marley, “Jungle Justice” with Kabaka Pyramid, and “Hope” with Romain Virgo. The project has been critically praised for its uplifting messages, strong production, and deep spiritual and cultural grounding.
Rooted firmly in Jamaican identity, the album blends reggae with elements of soul, doo-wop, R&B, hip-hop, and subtle touches of dancehall. Released in the aftermath of a serious car accident, the project feels especially personal, reflecting Royal’s artistic and lyrical maturity.
“This entire project has been a blessing,” Royal said. “A little over a week before we released it, I almost lost my life. That shock showed me the brevity of life and that we really have to be intentional.”
Each of these albums is exceptional, and a strong case can be made for any one of them to take home the Grammy. In many ways, the real winners are the fans, who were treated to an extraordinary year of reggae music.
Industry chatter suggests Keznamdi as a frontrunner due to strong commercial performance, including a #1 placement on the iTunes Reggae charts. Lila Iké has received overwhelming critical acclaim and continues to gain global visibility. Vybz Kartel brings unmatched longevity and influence, and some voters may feel this is his moment to finally receive a Grammy. Mortimer’s From Within has been described as one of the most emotionally resonant reggae albums of the past decade. Jesse Royal’s No Place Like Home stands out for its artistic growth, personal backstory, and established industry respect.
Is it a toss-up? Absolutely.
If I had to guess, I’d say Keznamdi may take home the win. But my personal choice is Lila Iké. The moment I finished listening to Treasure Self Love for the first time, my immediate thought was: this can win the Grammy. Regardless of the outcome, 2025 was a landmark year for reggae music, and simply being nominated is a tremendous achievement.
If you haven’t yet, check out all five albums—you’ll thank me.
One Love - Todd M. Judd
Photojournalist - Pennsylvania
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