Dancehall artiste Vybz Kartel is celebrating his second Grammy nomination after his album, Heart & Soul earned the nod in the Best Reggae Album category announced on November 7.

“Every song, every show, every mission me do now it’s about legacy and upliftment. Jamaica build mi, so mi haffi build back Jamaica,” Vybz Kartel said in a statement sent to the Jamaica Observer.

He goes up against Lila Iké (Treasure Self Love), Mortimer (From Within), Jesse Royal (No Place Like Home), and Keznamdi (Blood & Fyah).

Vybz Kartel’s Party With Me EP was nominated last year.

On the same day of the Grammy nomination was announcement, Kartel was on the ground, through his Adidja Palmer Foundation (APF), delivered a 40-foot container of essential supplies, including 12,000 bottles of water, 1,500 loaves of bread, and hygiene kits.

They also partnered with World Central Kitchen to clear debris, serve over 3,500 hot meals, and provide direct support to a children’s home housing 70 disabled children.

APF will also expand from emergency response to sustained rebuilding. The entertainer, through the foundation, also plans to adopt one children’s home and rebuild the roof of another, creating safe spaces, including a women’s and kids’ shelter, a soup kitchen, and a dedicated counselling area. Assistance will also be given to a basic school in rebuilding and helping to restore parts of St Elizabeth, the breadbasket parish.

After visiting communities affected by the recent hurricane, Vybz Kartel shared heartfelt reflections on the nation’s strength and some of his plans for mental health support.

“We’re creating a space where people can get psychological help, because too many — especially the kids — are dealing with trauma. This is not normal, so we have to care for the mind, not just the body. Jamaican people tough like steel, and that’s what hurt me the most; I’ve never seen the people dem cry so much, ever! But the resilience of Jamaican people is second to none. As we always say, ‘We likkle but wi tallawah.’ Right now is the time when we need unity the most. We need that Jamaican strength. The likkle but tallawah energy — activate now,” he said.

— Kediesha Perry