Billboard Predicts Kartel, Lila Iké, Keznamdi, and Mojo Morgan Among Grammy Nominees

Billboard’s fearless forecast urges the Recording Academy to split the Reggae and Dancehall categories, listing potential nominees including the Worl’ Boss, Lila Iké, and Jesse Royal

Billboard bets on Kartel, Lila Iké, Keznamdi, and Mojo Morgan for Grammy nods

Billboard Magazine has given its bold predictions for the Best Reggae Album category ahead of the 68th Grammy Awards, set for early February.

Once again, the publication has called on the Recording Academy to split the category into two distinct awards: Best Reggae Album and Best Dancehall Album, citing the growing creative diversity within Jamaican music.

Among the contenders is dancehall icon Vybz Kartel, who earned his first Grammy nomination last year with Party With Me, making his red carpet debut in Los Angeles in 2024. This year, Billboard predicts that the Worl’ Boss could once again be in contention with his Heart & Soul EP, noting, “It’s hard to deny the magnitude of Kartel’s name.”

Billboard’s Fearless Forecast

Also listed among Billboard’s forecasts are Lila Iké with her debut full-length album Treasure Self Love, released in August, Mojo Morgan of Morgan Heritage with his solo project Jamaica Love, and Keznamdi with Blxxd & Fyah - all three acts vying for their first individual Grammy nominations.

“Iké boasts a Protoje co-sign and years of goodwill thanks to the extended lifespan of her 2020 EP ‘The ExPerience,’” Billboard noted, adding that Keznamdi’s project enjoys significant local support.

Jesse Royal, who previously earned a nomination in 2022 for his second album Royal, is also on Billboard’s “Fearless Forecast” list with his recently released 10-track project No Place Like Home.

Keznamdi, Enjoying local support

In the dancehall realm, Billboard highlighted several standout projects inclduing Valiant’s Prove Them Wrong, Skillibeng’s International, Konshens’ Pool Party, Likkle Addi’s Time Is Now, Ding Dong’s From Ding Dong to the World Ding, Squash’s Hate Being Famous, 450’s Pieces of Me, and DJ Mac’s Ups & Downs - though none were predicted to make the final Grammy shortlist.

The official nominations are expected to be announced on November 7, following the completion of the first round of voting.