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75 Albums Submitted For Reggae Grammy 2025: Here’s The Top 12 Contenders

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The Recording Academy is gearing up for another exciting year, with first-round voting now open for the 67th Annual Grammy Awards. The ‘Best Reggae Album’ category has received 75 eligible submissions this year, up from 65 last year.

According to the Academy, the category “recognizes excellence in albums of reggae music, including roots reggae, dancehall, and ska music.” The nominations and award are bestowed to “albums containing greater than 75% playing time of new reggae recordings.” The Academy also stipulates that the albums’ featured artists, producers, and engineers are only eligible for nomination if they contributed more than 50% of the project’s playing time.

From established veterans to rising stars, the 2025 submissions represent a broad spectrum of styles and influences within Reggae and Dancehall music. Here are some of the standout entries that are likely to catch the attention of the industry insiders who will be voting:

1. Collie Buddz – Take It Easy

Released in September 2023, Collie Buddz’s 12-track Take It Easy had topped our list of the Best Reggae and Dancehall Albums of 2023. “For me, the biggest stand out from this body of work is creative freedom,” the Bermudian singer told DancehallMag. “Looking back, I gotta say I really enjoyed the entire process. I got to do it my way without the feeling of pressure. I got to work with some of my favorite musicians and artists. I really enjoyed working with my band on a lot of these riddims.” The album included Hold Firm, Take It Easy, and Twisted Agenda with Bounty Killer.

Buddz was nominated last year for the Cali Roots Riddim 2023.

2. Bugle – Apex

Bugle, who is yet to earn a Grammy nomination, may be in contention this year with his fifth album, Apex. “Apex now is me a look forward again, pan everything wah gwan inna me career,” he told DancehallMag. “Me say a prayer before me start the album, Jah answer me inna the midst of me praying and me a say I feel like this might be the highest peak a mi career.” The album’s stand-out tracks include Thank You Lord with Buju Banton and Damian Marley, Hopes (Small World) with Capleton, and Brutal Murderer with Barrington Levy.

3. Spice – Mirror 25

Queen Of Dancehall Spice released her third album, Mirror 25, earlier this year to mark her silver anniversary in music. “I would describe it as my most diverse project yet,” she told DancehallMag. “It’s 25 songs dabbling into a lot of different sounds; new sounds, as well, that the fans have never heard me dabbling into before. It’s a very diverse album.” Added Spice: “It’s a Dancehall album, but, I’ve included other sounds into it. I would say it’s still a Dancehall album, but I’ve included other sounds and genres.” The album includes songs such as Round Round with Busta Rhymes, 2085 Tea, and Queen of the Dancehall.

Spice had earned her first nomination for ‘Best Reggae Album’ with her VP Records debut, 10.

4. Etana – Nectar Of The Gods

As a previous two-time Reggae Grammy nominee, Etana will get attention for her eighth album, Nectar of the Gods, released in July this year. “I started working on the Nectar of the Gods in 2022. I never had the name or a particular direction in mind. I just knew that I wanted to create more music that will last forever,” she told DancehallMag. “I am truly grateful for life and the ability to write as I do and sing like I do and reach heart and souls through the music created,” she continued. “Regardless of the circumstances life has infinite possibilities and life can change in an instant one just has to never forget to imagine.” ‎

Nectar of the Gods includes Jah Never Fail with Big Youth, Mr Jones, and Inna DI Ghetto with Bugle.

5. SOJA – Beauty In The Acoustic

Released in February this year, Beauty in the Acoustic is a collection of unplugged tracks from SOJA’s Grammy Award-winning album Beauty in the Silence (2021). While acoustic versions of studio albums being nominated or even winning isn’t unprecedented—Stephen Marley, for example, won Best Reggae Album in 2010 with Mind Control, and again in 2012 with Mind Control – Acoustic—SOJA’s initial Grammy win sparked controversy in 2022. Many in the reggae community, particularly in Jamaica, had questioned how an American band beat out Jamaican heavyweights like Spice, Sean Paul, and Jesse Royal, stirring debate about authenticity and representation in reggae music. Despite the backlash, the band shared their deep love and respect for reggae’s roots, and they’ve continued to make their mark on the genre.

6. Masicka – Generation Of Kings

Masicka’s sophomore album Generation Of Kings is one of the few projects under consideration that also debuted on the Billboard Reggae Albums chart. The album, released under Def Jam Recordings, includes Tyrant, LimeLight, and Stars R Us with Popcaan.

7. Shenseea – Never Gets Late Here

Shenseea’s crossover appeal and collaborations with international artists make her sophomore album, Never Gets Late Here, one to watch. The album, which also debuted on the Billboard Reggae Albums chart, features Hit & Run with Masicka, Flava with Coi Leray, Red Flag with Anitta and Work Me Out with Wizkid.

The Blessed singer has one Grammy nomination for her contributions to Kanye West’s Donda, which had received the nod for Album of the Year.

8. Teejay – I Am Chippy EP

Warner Records artist Teejay has thrown his hat into the ring with the I Am Chippy EP. The 10-track project includes his big hit Drift, a Drift remix with Davido, Dip with Tommy Lee Sparta, and Fully Auto with Bayka.

9. Vybz Kartel – Party With Me EP

Vybz Kartel’s Party with Me EP, released in May while he was still behind bars, features eight tracks, including the standout song Ignite The World. In August, the artist did just that when he was released from prison after the court of appeal declined to retry him for murder.

10. Rvssian – Dutty Money Riddim

Single-riddim projects very rarely get Grammy attention, but Collie Buddz’s Cali Roots Riddim was a big exception last year. Producer Rvssian aims to keep that momentum going with his popular Dutty Money Riddim, featuring a classic Dancehall beat and ‘authorized’ hits like RajahWild’s Gogo, Nigy Boy’s Continent, Kraff Gad’s Nursery Rhymes, Valiant’s Bubble Gum, and Jada Kingdom’s What’s Up (Big Buddy).

11. Bob Marley: One Love – Music Inspired by the Film

The Bob Marley: One Love – Music Inspired by the Film album, released in February this year via Tuff Gong/Island Records, is another project under consideration. Tied to the highly successful biopic Bob Marley: One Love, this 10-track album offers fresh interpretations of Marley’s iconic songs, performed by artists like Daniel Caesar, Kacey Musgraves, Wizkid, Leon Bridges, Shenseea, Farruko, Jessie Reyez, Mystic Marley, Bloody Civilian, and Skip Marley–making it a top Grammy contender for 2025.

12. Lee ‘Scratch’ Perry: Heaven and King Perry

Two Lee ‘Scratch’ Perry albums are up for consideration in 2025: Heaven, released in October 2023 via Burning Sounds, and King Perry, released in February 2024 via False Idols and K7 Music. Both albums showcase Perry’s signature dub style and innovative production techniques even after his passing in 2021. Heaven delves into Perry’s spiritual reflections, while King Perry offers a more eclectic mix, collaborating with modern producers to blend classic reggae sounds with contemporary elements.

Here’s the Full list:

  1. Akae Beka – Living Testament
  2. Blakk Rasta – Salaga Soljah
  3. BL Tha Hook Slaya – Dancehall Diaries Volume 1
  4. Brotha George – Mindset
  5. Bugle – Apex
  6. Canute Neil Ellis – Slingshot
  7. Chili Guys – Love, Papa
  8. Chris Thomas The CEO – Exxtra Sexxxy
  9. Chyna Nicole – Reggae Trod Roots & Culture
  10. Clint Warren – Perfect Vacation
  11. Collie Buddz – Take It Easy
  12. Dean Fraser – Sax In Dub
  13. Don Dada – The Heart & The Mind
  14. Dukes Of Roots – Dukes Of Roots
  15. Errol Moore – Wheel And Come Again
  16. Etana – Nectar Of The Gods
  17. Exco Levi – Born To Be Free
  18. Fia – Never Give Up
  19. George Dekker – Right To Be Here
  20. George Nooks – Message In The Music
  21. Ginjah – Music Is Mine
  22. Govana – Legacy
  23. Gyptian & Chambah – Guarded EP
  24. Honorebel – Energy Surge
  25. H.R. – Let Luv Lead (The Way)
  26. Iration – Daytrippin
  27. Irie Souljah – All About Love
  28. I-Taweh – Musically Speaking
  29. Izybeats – Edgehill
  30. Jah’Mila – Woman Of The Sun
  31. Jah Lil – Can A Man Cry
  32. JonFX – 70s Reggae Collection
  33. Junior Murvin & Jerry Harris – Original Soul
  34. Khalia – Stay True
  35. Lee “Scratch” Perry – Heaven
  36. Lee “Scratch” Perry – King Perry
  37. Louis Atlas Featuring Andy Bassford & Larry McDonald – Survival Kit
  38. Marley Palmer – Live Ah Good Life – The Album
  39. Masicka – Generation Of Kings
  40. Mike Love – Leaders
  41. Minna Lafortune – Caribbean Christmas
  42. Mighty Joshua – Dreaducation
  43. Mutabaruka – Black Attack
  44. Mykal Rose, Subatomic Sound System & Hollie Cook – Rockin’ Like A Champion
  45. NVT3L – Tsunami SZN
  46. Norris Man – Free Man
  47. Pepper – Makai
  48. Protoje & Zion I Kings – In Search Of Zion
  49. Ras Shiloh – See It Deh
  50. Robert “Dubwise” Browne – MOM (Memories Of Mother)
  51. RKG – Fully Digital
  52. Romain Virgo – The Gentle Man
  53. Romieikon – Channel 28 Riddim (Deluxe)
  54. Rygin King – Recovery
  55. Samory I – Strength
  56. Shenseea – Never Gets Late Here
  57. SkillinJah – Mr. Ganjah Lover
  58. Soja – Beauty In The Acoustic
  59. Soul Rebel Project – Blessings, Vol. 1
  60. Spice – Mirror 25
  61. Stalk Ashley – Stalky The Brat
  62. Taj Weekes – Eye To See
  63. Teejay – I Am Chippy
  64. Tribal Seeds – Ancient Blood
  65. UB40 – UB45
  66. Various Artists – Bob Marley: One Love – Music Inspired By The Film (Deluxe)
  67. Various Artists – Celebrating Jamaica 62
  68. Various Artists – Dutty Money Riddim (Deluxe Edition)
  69. Various Artists – Jamaica Festival Song 2024 Competition
  70. Various Artists – Reggae Virus Sweet Yuh
  71. Vassell Meka – The Full Spectrum
  72. Vybz Kartel – Party With Me
  73. Zagga – Energy Never Lie
  74. The Wailers – Evolution
  75. Kenny Vanella – Revival Of The Spirit

The eligibility period for the 2025 Grammy Awards runs from September 16, 2023, to August 30, 2024.

First-round voting, which determines the nominees, takes place from October 4 to October 15, 2024. The official list of nominees will be announced on November 8, 2024. Then, the final round of voting, which decides the winners, will occur from December 12, 2024, to January 3, 2025.

This process will culminate with the Grammy Awards ceremony, scheduled for Sunday, February 2, 2025 at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles.