Billboard has predicted that dancehall legend Vybz Kartel will take home the award for his album Party With Me. Here’s how they’ve broken down the competition.
In their predictions released on Tuesday January 28, for the 67th Annual Grammy Awards, the U.S. trade publication notes that “technically, there are only two original reggae albums nominated here this year.” The rest, including Party With Me and Never Gets Late Here by Shenseea, lean heavily into dancehall and fusion genres.
The contenders for Best Reggae Album this year are:
- Take It Easy – Collie Buddz
- Party With Me – Vybz Kartel
- Never Gets Late Here – Shenseea
- Bob Marley: One Love – Music Inspired By The Film (Deluxe) – Various Artists
- Evolution – The Wailers
However, according to Billboard, Kartel’s story may be “too irresistible” for the competition and his first nomination, comes on the heels of a monumental year. After serving 13 years in prison for a now-overturned life sentence, Kartel was released last July. By December, he was back on stage, headlining the historic Freedom Street concert, described by Billboard as “the biggest concert the country had seen in nearly 50 years.” A statement that isn’t entirely true, taking into account Buju Banton’s “Long Walk To Freedom” concert in 2019 as well as Burna Boy’s Love Damini and Chris Brown Under The Influence Tours in the same venue with massive audiences in 2022 and 2023 respectively.
Although Party With Me doesn’t feature a massive hit like his classics “Fever” or “Clarks,” Kartel’s influence, combined with his triumphant return to the stage, could tip the scales in his favor says Billboard. Acknowledging that the timing of his Freedom Street concert—just days before Grammy voting closed—may limit its impact on the votes.
Shenseea: Kartel’s Closest Rival
Fellow first-time nominee Shenseea is pegged as Kartel’s stiffest competition. Her album, Never Gets Late Here, blends pop-dancehall, R&B, Afrobeats, and reggae, showing off her versatility. Produced by a star-studded team including Di Genius, Stargate, and London On Da Track, the album peaked at No. 4 on the Billboard Reggae Albums chart.
Shenseea’s genre-bending sound and polished production could sway voters Billboard infers. However, they caution that the Grammys historically favor traditional reggae projects, which may work against her and Kartel alike.
Marley’s Legacy Lives On
The One Love soundtrack, featuring covers of Bob Marley’s classics by Grammy-winning artists like Kacey Musgraves and Wizkid, is another strong contender. Billboard highlights how Marley’s enduring global appeal, coupled with the film’s box office success, could lift this project to victory. Yet, they also suggest that a win for One Love might feel more like a tribute to Marley’s legacy than recognition of fresh innovation in reggae.
Traditional Contenders: Collie Buddz and The Wailers
Collie Buddz’s Take It Easy and The Wailers’ Evolution represent more traditional reggae sounds. Billboard notes that Take It Easy, Buddz’s second consecutive Grammy nomination, includes contributions from Caribbean heavyweights like Bounty Killer and Demarco. Meanwhile, Evolution from The Wailers, featuring former members of Bob Marley’s iconic backing band, reached No. 5 on the Reggae Albums chart.
Despite their strong reggae roots, Billboard sees these projects as underdogs in a category dominated by the larger narratives surrounding Kartel, Shenseea, and Marley.
Billboard’s Prediction
In the final analysis, Billboard predicts that Vybz Kartel will win with Party With Me, citing his compelling narrative and undeniable cultural impact. However, they urge fans to “look out for The Wailers,” whose traditional sound and Grammy history make them a wildcard in this race.
