Keznamdi shocked fans that thought Vybz Kartel would win the Grammy. However, he also shocked some other Reggae fans who wished Mortimer had won the Grammy.
The First Sign The Grammy’s Were Going To Get It Right.
As always, there is no such thing as pleasing eveybody (normally). Especially, in situations where there can only be one winner.
First things first though, we definitely have to big up the Grammy’s for getting everything right as far as Reggae and The Grammys in 2026. It is only fair to critique them when they are wrong and to give them their flowers when they get it right.
Honestly speaking, for Reggae Music this year, the Grammy’s definitely got it right!
Jamaica Won.
As just displayed in the above video. All of the Grammy nominees this year were Jamaican. The first sign or clue that the Grammy’s were going to be on point this year when it came to Reggae. Was the fact all the nominees were Jamaican.
Whilst Reggae is global and artists can and do make top tier Reggae music from everywhere. The truth is that for the most part, Jamaicans make the best Reggae.
Moreover, it’s important for us all to take the time to appreciate all the nominees (Keznamdi, Vybz Kartel, Lila Iké, Mortimer and Jesse Royal for their sacrifices, hard work and contributions to Reggae and Dancehall Music.
It takes a lot, (especially time) to make music and to put out an entire album. These artists have literally given themselves to us. As well as, some good music that serves as the soundtrack to our lives. Much gratitude and appreciation goes out to each and every one of the above nominees.
Lila Iké
With that being said, it feels like Lila Iké needs to get more love for her album Treasure Self Love.
Her ability to capture the spirit of Reggae and Dancehall classics whilst also putting her own energy and interpretation on the music, deserves to be treasured!!!
Where are all the Lila Iké fans and fans of female Reggae at right now? It seems no one is voicing any disappointment in the fact that Lila never won? Perhaps, Lila Iké fans are just patient or content in Lila’s progress thus far?
Some Reggae History & Comparing The Albums Of Mortimer & Keznamdi.
However, some Reggae fans have definitely voiced their disappointment in the fact Mortimer never took home the Grammy for best Reggae Album.
It makes perfect sense. One of the issues that Jamaican and Reggae fans have had with Reggae Artists receiving recognition to date is Colorism. To this day, some wonder whether Bob Marley would have been as successful, if he was of a darker complexion? Suffice to say that, Colorism is a topic that has basically always, run parallel to the story or history, of Reggae. Following on from this, some Reggae fans take issue with the amount of Grammy wins his offspring have. In addition to all this, Mortimer is definitely an authentic and original Reggae artist. To be sure, there is a purity, honesty, beauty and vulnerability contained in Mortimer’s music that is simply awe-inspiring.
Mortimer’s music, like all true Reggae Music (at a certain level), displays a connection, to the divine.
Unmistakenly, what Mortimer has given Reggae fans, with his album, From Within, is uncommon. It is original, authentic, new and top tier. Any true Reggae fan with a pulse has to be taken aback by Mortimer’s offering because Reggae Music never had anything quite like this before.
With all of this being said, it is totally justified for Mortimer fans to be upset that Mortimer never won the Grammy. However, there is one glaring reason that explains why this is the case.
If one compares Keznamdi’s album to Mortimer’s there is a very obvious difference between the two. Mortimer’s work, is more introverted. His work lets the listener into his world. Very quickly the listener goes from Mortimer being a stranger, to someone that the listener feels, they know intimately.
The themes of Mortimer’s songs are being in love, his growth, his struggles, his pain. Via his album, the listener is able to empathise with Mortimer’s point of view.
Conversely, Keznamdi’s music takes aim at society. That is, Keznamdi’s music is geared towards making an impact on society. It is a discussion centered around reality, with society itself, as the target of this conversation.
Key themes of Keznamdi’s music are: the struggle, inequality, colonization, identity, faith etc, etc. To summarise, the two artists are speaking to different audiences. Mortimer wants to be heard as a human being with this album. Whereas Keznamdi wants Jamaica, the region, diaspora and sometimes even humanity itself, to hear him.
Seen from this angle, it is easy to see why Keznamdi took home the Grammy. To be fair, it easy to see why everybody feels the way they do. Mortimer fans are justified in their view. However, the Grammy’s are justified in their choice to give Keznamdi the Grammy nod. Well done Grammy’s.
