It’s Been Almost 22 Years Since an Authentic Dancehall Album Won a Grammy — Will Vybz Kartel End the Drought?

It’s been almost 22 years since a true dancehall album last claimed the Grammy for Best Reggae Album, and this year, Vybz Kartel is the genre’s lone warrior in a category dominated by roots and contemporary reggae. With his album Heart & Soul vying for the coveted 68th Annual GRAMMY Award, fans and industry watchers alike are asking: can the ‘Worl’ Boss’ finally break the long-standing drought? Dancehall’s Grammy history is sparse — from Shabba Ranks’ wins in the early ’90s to Sean Paul’s Dutty Rock in 2004, the genre has only occasionally tasted the golden gramophone, making Kartel’s nomination a milestone moment for both the artist and dancehall itself.

This year’s nominees highlight the breadth of Jamaica’s musical influence. Roots revivalists like Lila Iké (Treasure Self Love), Keznamdi (BLXXD & FYAH), Mortimer (From Within), and Jesse Royal (No Place Like Home) bring spiritual depth, innovative production, and global resonance to the category. For first-time nominees Lila Iké, Keznamdi, and Mortimer, the nod signals career-defining recognition. Kartel and Jesse Royal, meanwhile, are back for a second consecutive nomination, but Kartel stands alone in representing dancehall — injecting raw edge, gritty storytelling, and unmistakable cultural flavour into a field otherwise dominated by roots stylings.

Looking back, dancehall Grammy victories have been rare. Only five albums in the genre’s history have taken home the award: Shabba Ranks’ As Raw as Ever (1992) and X‑tra Naked (1993), Shaggy’s Boombastic (1996), Beenie Man’s Art and Life (2001), and Sean Paul’s Dutty Rock (2004). Kartel’s first nomination arrived at last year’s 67th Grammy Awards for his EP Party With Me, marking the start of a remarkable post-incarceration resurgence. Heart & Soul, his follow-up, is not just another nomination — it’s a statement of dancehall’s ongoing relevance on the world stage and a testament to Kartel’s enduring creative vitality.

Beyond statistics, the cultural weight of this nomination is significant. Dancehall has long influenced global pop, hip-hop, and electronic music, yet its recognition at awards like the Grammys has often lagged. Kartel’s presence in the category reminds the world that dancehall is not just entertainment — it’s a powerful cultural export, shaping fashion, language, and sound across continents. “It’s humbling to know my music continues to resonate with the Recording Academy,” Kartel reflected, underscoring the symbolic importance of this nomination for himself, his fans, and the genre.

As Grammy night approaches on February 1, 2026, at Los Angeles’ Crypto.com Arena, anticipation is at fever pitch. Will Vybz Kartel make history once more, restoring dancehall to the Grammy winner’s circle after more than two decades? Whatever the outcome, one thing is certain: dancehall’s impact on global music is undeniable, and Kartel’s nomination cements its continued resonance and cultural power.