The 68th Grammy Awards have revealed the nominees for this year’s Best Reggae Album category. The nominees are Vybz Kartel with “Heart & Soul”, Jesse Royal with “No Place Like Home”, Lila Iké with her compilation “Treasure Self Love”, Keznamdi with “Blood & Fyah”, and Mortimer with “From Within”.
The winners will be announced on February 1, 2026, at the Grammy Awards ceremony in Los Angeles.
For Vybz Kartel, this marks his second Grammy nomination in as many years, continuing a comeback streak since his release from prison. Known for his lyrical mastery and influence on dancehall culture, Kartel’s “Heart & Soul” blends dancehall with moments of reflection. His recent single “Amout” debuted at No. 1 on Jamaica’s YouTube chart, amassing nearly 2 million global views in its first week.
Jesse Royal also earns his second Grammy nomination, following his 2022 nod for “Royal”. His latest project, “No Place Like Home”, fuses modern reggae with messages of faith, family, and freedom. The artist earlier this year revealed he was compelled to drop the album following a life-threatening car accident. Critics have praised its production quality and lyrical maturity, marking Royal as one of reggae’s most consistent torchbearers.
Three of this year’s nominees—Lila Iké, Keznamdi, and Mortimer—are celebrating their first-ever Grammy nods.
Lila Iké’s debut album, “Treasure Self Love”, released in August 2025, showcases her soulful vocals and a message of empowerment. With collaborations featuring H.E.R., Joey Bada$$, and Protoje, the album positions Iké as one of reggae’s most exciting new voices.
Keznamdi’s “Blood & Fyah” made an explosive commercial impact, debuting at No. 1 on the U.S. iTunes Reggae Albums Chart and landing four songs in the top six of the iTunes Reggae Songs Chart. The album’s fusion of roots reggae, dancehall, and Afrobeats elements has connected strongly with younger audiences, making him the current frontrunner in terms of sales and streaming performance.
Mortimer’s “From Within”, released in late 2024, stands out for its depth. The album captures the heart of classic roots reggae while weaving in modern production and emotional storytelling.
This year’s nominations paint a vivid picture of reggae’s ongoing evolution. The list balances heritage and innovation, pairing Kartel’s raw dancehall style and Royal’s roots foundation with the introspection of Mortimer, the bold experimentation of Keznamdi, and the self-love message of Lila Iké.
While Grammy voters often favor artistic impact over chart performance, Keznamdi currently leads commercially. His chart-topping debut gives him a tangible edge, though Vybz Kartel’s massive fanbase and Jesse Royal’s Grammy experience could make for a tight race. First-timers Lila Iké and Mortimer, meanwhile, carry strong critical momentum and emotional resonance that could sway voters seeking freshness and authenticity.
