Most Wanted: 2026

Okay so, that was 2025. I hope you liked it but if you didn't, there's nothing we can do about it now. It's over... on to the next! We had some very impressive releases from some expected and some unexpected stars to help make the year fun and, presumably (and hopefully), this time next year, we'll be saying the same for 2026. So we're already looking ahead to what the future might have to offer and to do that we're going to use a feature from back in da day. Today we assemble a group of ten individuals who we're hoping to hear from in the new year. Most Wanted 2026!

{Note: Names appear in no particular order}

{Note 2: I intentionally excluded people who I know have albums scheduled or are heavily rumoured to be releasing albums}

Anthony B

It was just 2023 when the great Anthony B released his most recent set, "Bread & Butter", so while the world isn't exactly starving for a new one from him just yet... it would be pretty nice considering the roll he's been on in recent times. I'm sure I'll say this in regards to someone else (if not everyone else) but, with the right producer, based on what he's been up t o lately, I think Anthony B's next album -- whenever we get it -- could be a contender for best of that year. Even at such an advanced and well grizzled stage in his career, the Original Fire Man appears to be well within reach of his prime. ANTHONY B! SHOW EVERYONE WHAT I MEAN AND DO AN ALBUM IN 2026! PLEASE.

Queen Omega

We're just coming up on the third anniversary of "Freedom Legacy", Queen Omega's most recent studio release but prior to that, a truly ridiculous FIFTEEN YEARS had elapsed in between records from her, which was entirely unacceptable. Three years is just fine in my opinion and the star of our Album of The Year for 2023 would look just fine making her return in 2026. In the summer or so I actually heard an interview (on a radio station in Toronto, I THINK) where the Queen said she was at work on her next album and I, of course, glued into that fact. She didn't say with whom she was working or give any type of timeframe for its potential release whatsoever but, if she does make an appearance next year, she could definitely do a lot for 2026. 

Damian Marley

"Stony Hill" will turn eight years old next summer and one of the legit, bona fide superstars of the genre, Damian Marley, figures to be DUE for a new set any one of these years now (and I can recall hearing a rumour that he was coming with something late 2024, I believe) and one would think that he is actively at work on the next project. I always enjoy stressing the fact that, despite the most obvious thing about him -- he's Bob's son ["Tell mi which CD do you think dem get? Di one closest to di Bob Marley boxset"] -- Jr. Gong is a wizard. Lyrically, the man is virtually peerless and what he is capable of is downright special. Hearing a brand new performance of his talents is always a gift. Hopefully he brings gifts next year and I think he will. 

Ras Batch

Without looking anything up, I would probably say that Ras Batch releasing an album in the next twelve months would be THE biggest surprise if everyone on this list were to do the same. The last time we heard from him would have been on "Rootz & Kulcha" from early 2017 and if you know anything about Batch, he pretty much likes to do his albums by himself. Of course there're exceptions (one in particular) but he generally keeps production in-house via his own Sound V.I.ZIon imprint. That's fine but I think if he could, somehow, get into that never endingly active mix of Trinity Farm Music (like other VI artists, Ancient King, Abja, Danny I and  even Akae Beka) it would see the rather reclusive Ras Batch to a greater level of frequency... and he can bring Ras Attitude with him! I don't think it happens but stranger things have. 

Sara Lugo

Finally (technically. I'm writing this one last but she won't be listed last), you knew she was coming. How about a new Sara Lugo album for the new year?! Recently returning to the familiar ground of Oneness Records, the now VETERAN singer (Sara Lugo's probably getting towards (if not already) forty years old (that is RIDICULOUS!)) (further research reveals that she just turned 38!) could definitely freshen up 2026 via dropping album #4. It's been a minute (and four and a half years) since "Flowaz" ["Bring me flowers!"], so she's also due (...for an album) any year now and 2026 seems as good as any. I'm actually going to predict that this one does happen in the new year. Maybe it comes from Oneness, maybe not, but I suspect Funky Comfort will reign in 2026!

Luciano

I could definitely be wrong and I probably am but, off the top of my head, I THINK that the most recent studio album that we got from the great Messenjah, Luciano, was 2020's Oneness produced GIANT, "The Answer". He's had re-releases, remasters, greatest hits and compilations since then but, as far as I can tell, not an actual new album since it (he had one called "Return Of The Chronicles" which was an odd R&Bish re-working of some of his biggest hits that was really hard to listen to). That's fucked up... it just is. Even if I'm forgetting one, hopefully one of the greatest voices this music has ever produced and one of its longest serving soldiers comes back to us in a characteristically BEAUTIFUL way in 2026. 

Mark Wonder

There was an EP back in '23 called "Reflections Of The Dragon Slayer" but I think that the last full album from the GOLDEN Mark Wonder remains 2020's "Remz Of The Dragon Slayer" (the man has been slaying dragons for a really long time). That album came from a very familiar source, Oneness Records and, not too long ago, Wonder appeared on their High Peak Riddim. I'm thinking that 2026 could be a very good time to get the old band back together again and see what could happen. What could happen has history as, way back in 2012 Wonder & Oneness teamed up on the aptly named "Working Wonders" which is, EASILY, one of THE best albums I have heard in my entire life. I think that it's time for a sequel ["WHO ELSE COULD IT BE?!"]. Will it actually happen??? I wouldn't bet on it. 

Busy Signal

This one is very specific and I don't really think that it has a legit shot of happening but let me ask you something: How damn cool would it be if Busy Signal's next album came via the Zion I Kings?? Doesn't that sound pretty good?! Obviously, the thought arose as the well versatile Busy actually did cross paths with massive Reggae collective for a single, 'The Days', back in October. Now, if they could get together again.... this time for a full album, the results, just as the quality of the single would suggest, could be MASSIVE.

Jah Defender

Such a list from me these days HAS to include the currently flaming chanter from out of Trinidad, Jah Defender. Along with being quite active these days, he lays a giant claim to dropping THE single best tune that I heard in all of 2025 altogether 'Haile Selassie I', so of course I'm interesting in getting my hands on a full release in 2026. Magnifying matters is the fact that he's been doing a lot of work with one single outfit, House Of Riddim. I can DEFINITELY see HOR reaching with a full Jah Defender project in the new year and you know what? I think it WILL happen and if it does, at least on paper, this one will have Album of The Year potential in my opinion. 

Reemah

I know that I said that these were listed in no order in particular but I specifically saved Reemah for last because she's probably my #1 in terms of how much I want it to happen. It has been a downright heinous soon-to-be eight years since her last set, "Breaking News", and... frankly I'm getting tired of waiting. This is some bullshit! Had I done this list last year or the year before, my prospects would have probably been higher. Today? Nope. I have none. I don't think this is happening. I do hope that I'm wrong but I'm not seeing one of the true, bona fide GENIUSES that we have today doing a new album in the new year. I'm just not.... but DAMN, I HOPE I'M WRONG!