Vybz Kartel, Masicka, Chronixx Among Grammy Best Reggae Album Hopefuls
Reggae and dancehall heavyweights including Buju Banton, Beenie Man, Shaggy, Protoje and Alkaline, alongside new-generation acts such as Ai Milly, are also among those with projects in consideration. The nominations will be announced on November 16
A crowded field of reggae and dancehall heavyweights will compete for a place among the final nominees.
With the eligibility window for the 2027 Grammy Awards running from August 31, 2025, through August 28, 2026, the Best Reggae Album category features a deep pool of prominent reggae and dancehall submissions.
Among the names generating interest are Vybz Kartel, Buju Banton, Chronixx, Masicka, Alkaline, Shaggy, Beenie Man and Protoje, alongside several rising acts who released projects during the eligibility period. However, being released within the window and submitted for consideration does not automatically translate into a Grammy nomination.
First-round voting is scheduled for October 12-22, 2026, with the nominations set to be announced on November 16.
Vybz Kartel enters the conversation with 14-track LP God & Time, released on June 5. The album debuted at No. 6 on the Billboard Reggae Albums chart and features massive collaborations, including “Hype Life” with Mavado, “Confession” with Spice, “Panic” alongside Shenseea, “Try Again” with Skillibeng, and more.
A nomination would mark Kartel's third consecutive year among the Best Reggae Album nominees, following Party With Me at the 2025 Grammy Awards and Heart & Soul at the 2026 ceremony.
A strong contender is Masicka's third studio album, Forever Reign, which delivered the highest Billboard Reggae Albums debut by a Jamaican dancehall act in 2026, opening at No. 4. The project includes collaborations such as “Honor Roll” with Kraff and “1 Psalm” featuring Damian “Jr. Gong” Marley.
Alkaline is hoping to secure a nomination with his third studio album, NPT, which debuted at No. 10 on the Billboard Reggae Albums chart before climbing to No. 9.
Buju Banton enters the race with Too Too Bad, released July 17. The 13-track project marked a return to a more dancehall-oriented sound and gave Banton his first Billboard Reggae Albums chart appearance in six years. It debuted at No. 8 before moving to No. 10 in its second week.
Chronixx's Exile, released October 10, 2025, is also expected to be among the projects attracting attention. The album opened at No. 5 on the Billboard Reggae Albums chart and received strong critical praise following its release.
Chronixx is also considered among the leading contenders
Beenie Man entered the eligibility period with Eminence. The 16-track project reached No. 1 on the U.S. iTunes All Genres chart and held the position for three consecutive days. It features an extensive list of collaborators, including Rick Ross, T.I., Ashanti, Snoop Dogg, Mýa and Rotimi.
Shaggy submitted Lottery, which was released May 15. The album includes collaborations with Robin Thicke, Sting and Akon. “Looking Lovely,” featuring Thicke, debuted on Billboard's Rhythmic Airplay chart, while “Boom Body,” featuring Akon and Aidonia, also earned chart recognition.
Grammy-winning reggae artiste Protoje is also in the mix with The Art of Acceptance. Released in April, the project debuted at No. 9 on the Billboard Reggae Albums chart and includes appearances from Damian “Jr. Gong” Marley, Shenseea and Masicka, among others.
The newer generation of Jamaica's trap-dancehall movement is represented by Ai Milly, whose 17-track album Old Milly is officially in consideration for Best Reggae Album.
Other projects released during the eligibility period include Runkus' 13-track Supernova, Capleton's Heights of Fire and Yaksta's The Microphone Saved Me, among others.
One notable project that will not be eligible this time around is Malie Donn's debut album, The Golden Child. Released on September 4, the project arrived just days after the August 28 eligibility cutoff and will therefore fall into the following Grammy eligibility period.
With first-round voting approaching, the strength and depth of the field means several established names and emerging acts will be competing for a limited number of spots when the final nominees are revealed in November.
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