Grammy Race Heats Up As Albums Drop Before Deadline

August 24, 2026

Beenie Man, Masicka, and Queen Ifrica are among the latest entertainers to release albums just before the close of the 2027 Grammy eligibility period.

The 69th Grammy Awards eligibility period runs from August 31, 2025, through August 28, 2026.

While August 28, 2026 is the final day music can be released to qualify, the official deadline for submitting music information for Grammy consideration was August 21, 2026.

Masicka released Forever Reign and Queen Ifrica dropped Breath of Life on August 14, while Beenie Man’s Eminence was released on August 20.

Other albums released during the 2027 Grammy eligibility period include Vybz Kartel’s God & Time, which made the highest debut so far on the Billboard Top Reggae Albums Chart at No. 6.

Buju Banton’s Too Too Bad debuted at No. 8 and subsequently remained on the chart for a second week.

Protoje’s The Art of Acceptance debuted at No. 9, while Alkaline’s NPT debuted at No. 10 before later climbing to No. 9. Both albums spent one week on the Billboard Top Reggae Albums Chart.

Meanwhile, Chronixx’s Exile, which was released on October 10, 2025, also falls within the 2027 Grammy eligibility period and is therefore eligible for consideration.

Other albums to look out for include Capleton’s Heights of Fire, Ginjah’s Soul Connection, Shaggy’s Lottery, Yaksta’s The Microphone Saved Me, Delly Ranx’s Better Than B 4, and Samory I’s Revelation, among many others.

With the eligibility period now closed, attention turns to Grammy voting, and which of these projects will ultimately earn nominations.