The nominations for the 69th annual Grammy Awards are to be announced on Monday, November 16.

The Best Reggae Album category (formerly known as Best Reggae Recording) was first introduced in the 1985 ceremony, with Black Uhuru’s Anthem winning the first award.

Some 119 projects, including various artistes compilations, gospel, reggae and dancehall albums, were submitted this year, compared to 73 last year.

Releases that qualify for the submission period should have been released between August 31, 2025 and August 28, 2026.

It’s a very tough year to really nail down who may be the possible nominees in the Best Reggae Album category as many notable releases created an impact both locally and overseas.

There were notable releases by Capleton, Buju Banton, Beenie Man, Burning Spear, Alkaline, Queen Ifrica and Kabaka Pyramid.

Below are my predictions as to which albums could make the cut in the Best Reggae Album category, when the nominees are announced on Monday.

Brightside – Ziggy Marley – Multi-Grammy winner Ziggy Marley was probably the only act who did any meaningful campaigns around his project. He could snag a nomination for Brightside, which was released last May via Tuff Gong Worldwide.

Exile – Chronixx – Released last October to rave reviews, Exile by Chronixx is poised to possibly end up among the nominees. He previously secured a nod for Chronology in 2018.

Art of Acceptance – Protoje – Art of Acceptance may give Protoje his third nomination. He was previously nominated in 2019 for A Matter of Time and Third Time’s The Charm in 2023.

Supernova – Runkus – Critically acclaimed Supernova by Runkus was ranked among the 50 Best Albums released so far in 2026, by respected music and trade publication, Billboard. One of the better reggae projects released this year, Supernova has the elements that could help steer it among this year’s nominees.

The fifth album on my list is a sort of a tussle. I am torn between Masicka’s Forever Reign, Lottery by Shaggy and God and Time by Vybz Kartel.

The truth is, Masicka has put in a lot of work, and Forever Reign is a decent project that deserves a fair listen. It doesn’t hurt that the project was released by major label Def Jam Recordings, which may utilise its connections to secure a deserving nod for the deejay.

Shaggy knows the system, and he is a favourite among voters in the Recording Academy. Lottery didn’t quite hit the spot sales-wise on the Billboard charts. But then again, the voters don’t care if you were big on the charts or you’re the most popular. Lottery did spawn a few crossover hits on the Billboard’s Rhythmic charts, and being a familiar name will probably help Shaggy in his bid for an eighth nomination in this category. Mind you, he has already won twice.

God and Time – Vybz Kartel – Vybz Kartel has had a great year with several chart hits, songs that made an impact within the dancehall space and a Billboard-charting album with God and Time. A two-time nominee, it wouldn’t come as a surprise if the King of the Dancehall nabs his third nomination.