Rising Stars and Potential Surprises: 2027 Grammy Best Reggae Album Voting Begins

While reggae and dancehall heavyweights dominate the conversation, artistes such as Yaksta, D’Yani, Ras-I and Naomi Cowan are hoping to make their mark in this year’s Grammy race

Ras-I, D'yani and Kelissa are also in consideration

As first-round voting for the 69th Annual Grammy Awards opens today, October 12, the race for Best Reggae Album is heating up, with a crowded field of established reggae and dancehall stars alongside emerging talent.

Among the leading contenders are Vybz Kartel with God & Time, Masicka’s Forever Reign, Buju Banton’s Too Too Bad, Chronixx’s Exile, Alkaline’s NPT, Beenie Man’s Eminence, Protoje’s The Art of Acceptance and Shaggy’s Lottery. Popcaan is also in consideration with his EP Gyalentines II.

Will one of the reggae and dancehall heavyweights take home another Grammy, or will a newcomer claim the prestigious award?

The Marley family is once again represented, with Ky-Mani Marley hoping to secure his first solo Grammy win with Live and Energy, while his brother Ziggy Marley enters the conversation with Brightside.

However, beyond the established names, several other projects deserve attention, including Ras-I’s Heart of Love, D’Yani’s well-received debut album Live Life & Prosper, and reggae icon Capleton’s Heights of Fire.

Yaksta is also seeking recognition with his sophomore album, The Microphone Saved Me. Announcing the project's Grammy consideration, the reggae artiste shared, “This music is my story, and it’s real. The mic gave me a voice when I needed one most. To everybody who listened, supported, and deh yah pon di with me, this is for you.”

Dancehall-fusion artiste Xyclone has also entered the conversation with I AM XYCLONE, adding further variety to the field.

Among the female reggae artistes in consideration is Kelissa, whose 10-track project The Good Side of Things has received strong praise from her partner, Chronixx, who is also in the running with Exile.

“With this level of Jamaican soul music, it is over for all the nominees. None a dem is even close, not if we are talking about music, with all due respect,” Chronixx wrote on his Instagram Story, expressing his confidence in Kelissa’s project.

Another female artiste to watch is Naomi Cowan, whose 12-track debut album, Welcome to Paradise, was released on October 10, 2025, to critical acclaim. The project also won the 2026 JUNO Award for Reggae Recording of the Year, further strengthening its credentials heading into the Grammy race.

While the established heavyweights may dominate the conversation, the depth of this year's field leaves plenty of room for surprises, with emerging acts hoping to break through and secure a place among the final nominees.