Completely Random Thoughts: Album of The Year

Okay so, a few days ago (actually, yesterday but no way this is going up tonight) they held the Grammy awards and announced, along with everything else, the 2026 winner of the Best Reggae Album Grammy Award. To my surprise, the winner was the least likely of them all as walking away with the bag was Keznamdi for his release, "Blxxd & Fyah". I didn't think Keznamdi would do it but who cares what I though. I'm very happy for him and the biggest of congratulations go in his direction. Also nominated were Vybz Kartel, Mortimer, Jesse Royal and my personal choice, Lila Iké but, again, big respects and congrats to Keznamdi for the win. The Grammy awards have a unique set of circumstances as it isn't ACTUALLY the album of the year because there're cut off dates. They have a committee (I THINK) and it takes awhile to go through all of the potential nominees and to get votes in to count them up so the dates, for example, for this year's awards were limited to anything released between the 31st of August, 2024 and the 30th of August, 2025.

Obviously, the rest of us don't have to deal with such deadlines and constraints, so we're free to count anything from 2025, altogether; including something that may've released on.... the 10th of October, for example.

To the surprise of absolutely no one at all, many outlets have named "Exile" by Chronixx to be either amongst the best or THE best Reggae album of 2025 and while I most surely do disagree (see my review), I'm not writing this to beat up on "Exile" (or anyone who may've enjoyed it). I've already done that. This is more of an observational type of post. Our old friends at Da Ville have named it as their #1 and Reggae Ville doesn't just choose albums; they actually do a poll with some very respected and more knowledgeable people than I (like Angus Taylor, of course Gardy Stein and even John Masouri) (pretty much grew up reading John Masouri) and maybe fifty-ish in all so a very nice mixture of opinions go into their list. Billboard arrived at similar conclusion, calling "Exile" the best album that the Caribbean produced altogether last year (obviously, I disagree with their top spot but Billboard had a very interesting list. It included the likes of Machel Montano, Bad Bunny and even Trilla-G) (Trilla-G's album, "Take Me As I Am: The Album", is fun but it's also kinda brutal. Nearly every song comes in around the same pacing... and it just DOES NOT STOP!). You know what I'm thinking.... nope... I don't get it... but that's fine. As I suspected, I was in the minority in my feelings in regards to "Exile" and the results are demonstrating that. Furthermore, while I expect it'll have some serious competition, I would be pretty surprised if "Exile" isn't nominated for next year's Grammy Award and he'll probably be amongst the favourites to take it home. 

I have been surprised by the lack of one album being present on pretty much every single list that I've come across and that's Dezarie's "Guardian". There is a bit of discrepancy as far as that album's official release, with some attributing to it a 2024 date but you find me a review or any press at all from 2024 for "Guardian". If it is to be counted in last year then the album, which was my #2, being absent from such lists is insanity. HOWEVER, with that being said, I said the same thing in 2023 when my literal #1, "Freedom Legacy" by Queen Omega, was nowhere to be found either. Apart from that, my list is a little more obscure (it always is) with only my #1, Lutan Fyah's "Health & Resilience", being even relatively prevalent on many of the ones that I've seen from my top five. Also from my list, I guess it's clear that I've underrated Lila Iké's "Treasure Self Love" as the album that I ranked at #8 charts at #2 and #3, respectively on Reggae Ville's and BB's lists, while Reggae-Vibes.com had her at fourth (their list actually goes twenty albums deep). And I have to say that, although I don't think its omission is on account to its quality, if I were to make a recommendation to others who may've missed it, the one that I would DEFINITELY suggest that I had that no one else did would be the LOVELY "Andromeda: Sign Of The Times" from Sydney Salmon & The Imperial Majestic Band. I get it: Spectacular can be a little harsh and isn't for everyone (although I did just recently get back into his album, "Stay Up", and it is better than ever) ["PLAY NYABINGHI INNA DI MIDDLE OF THE STREEEEEEEEEET! PLAY NYABINGHI BECAUSE IT SOUND SO SWEEEEEEEEEET"] and neither is even Dezarie, honestly; but "Sign Of The Times" was just such a beautifully put together set that I have a hard time seeing how it doesn't stick itself to the tastes of just about any fan of Reggae.

Hopefully 2026 is just as interesting. I'm thinking that we'll have more "traditional" big names making albums (like Buju & Capleton, for example) and... we'll probably be having a similar conversation about it a year from now. Until then, have a nice day. 

Da Grammys 2026!

I don't feel like writing an intro. They announced the nominees for the 2026 Grammy Awards. They have a Reggae category. Let us take a quick look at them and make a bad prediction for the winner. BOOM! 

"Heart & Soul" by Vybz Kartel [Vybz Kartel Music + Greedy Lion]

Vybz Kartel was nominated last year for "Party With Me", if he releases an album next year (and he most surely will), it will also be nominated. This year, he was back with "Heart & Soul" which, for whatever it's worth, is clearly stronger than "Party With Me", at least in my opinion. I am working on a tribute to Kartel (called Signatures) but it's full of MUCH older work because it's been quite awhile since he made my type of music, though i am in the minority there. You'd figure that, with such regularity, he'll likely take home a Grammy one of these years and it wouldn't be surprising at all if 2026 was his.

"No Place Like Home" by Jesse Royal [Easy Star Records]

As was the case for Kartel, 2026 represents the second nomination for Jesse Royal as, a few years back, he was tipped for "Royal". His effort for 2025, "No Place Like Home", isn't quite as strong in my opinion but it did have a number of big tunes (the biggest of which probably being 'Hope', alongside Romain Virgo). Also in its favour would be the fact that "No Place Like Home" features a Marley [Yohan Marley], which can only help your chances and 2023's Reggae Grammy winner, Kabaka Pyramid also makes an appearance. Take that and combine it with relatively recent voter familiarity and Jesse Royal could go home with the prize next year. 

"Blxxd & Fyah" by Keznamdi [Keznamdi Music Group]

First-time nominee, Keznamdi, gets a nod this year for his "Blxxd & Fyah" set which reached not very long at all (it was August, doesn't seem like THAT long ago, still) and though I think it's difficult to see him actually winning, he does have a very appealing and OPEN style that I think Grammy voters will enjoy, going forward. This would be an excellent introduction for many of them and, in a few years (or even next year), maybe the roots have been laid for him to win it all. Another thing about Keznamdi is that his album is excellent. "Blxxd & Fyah" is one of the best album's here, it might even crack my top ten list for the year; so what it may lack in star power (it does) it more than makes up for in overall quality.

"Treasure Self Love" by Lila Iké [Ineffable Records]

We're about to wrap a bow around the year that was 2025 and the ridiculously interesting Lila Iké is kind of a big deal and, to go with it, here is her first Grammy nomination for her "Treasure Self Love" release. This album at least seemed to be all over the place but it never truly stepped too far from center and what resulted was an extremely well-received and appreciated project which has led us here. I actually think Iké's chances here are quite good. If voters have paid the slightest bit of attention, this isn't their introduction to her wonderful music (and damn interesting background) and you could make the case that, in any circle, "Treasure Self Love" was one of Reggae's biggest releases of the year (I should probably try to review this thing in the next few weeks).

"From Within" by Mortimer [Overstand Entertainment]

Though it missed the cut-off for this year's awards, Mortimer's 2024 offering, "From Within", did do a considerable amount of damage last year as it was carried on several 'best of' lists at year's end. Perhaps (not likely), that's a fact that has given him a head-start for Grammy voters who've been keen on it for over twelve months at this point. Three other things it has going for it: Mortimer has been very consistently performing at a high level in recent times, it has a very open and easy to appreciate vibes to it as well and between Damian Marley and the aforementioned Pyramid, "From Within" featured two previous Grammy winners (Lila Iké also appeared). It doesn't seem likely but were you looking for anything resembling a 'dark horse' this year - look no further (you couldn't look any further anyway, this is the last nominee). 

AND THE WINNER IZZZZZZZZZZ

ZZZZZZZZZZZ

ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ

ZZZZZZZZZZZZZ

"Treasure Self Love" by Lila Iké

In the absence of a true hammer this year ("hammer" being a Marley or a previous winner), I think it's largely a two horse race, with Kartel & Lila Iké leading the way. I'm towards "Treasure Self Love" because I think (it is) the better of the two, in general, and also think that if/when Vybz Kartel does win a Grammy, it will be with something more substantial. The next time he puts his proverbial foot down on an album --with respect to the competition of course-- I think he takes it but that isn't "Heart & Soul" (despite its name) (and next year it should be pretty good. You'll have Chronixx, probably Buju and I'd be surprised if we don't get something from the Marley clan). I think if voters do their research on the background of Lila Iké, they'll really enjoy her uniqueness and  listen through "Treasure Self Love" will net her the victory, joining Koffee in 2020 as the only females to ever win the award. So, with that being said you can learn who does win it all on Sunday, the 1st of February, 2026 when we give congratulations to Keznamdi for winning the 2026 Grammy Award for Best Reggae Album. I'm going to get something to eat.