Respect the Roots, But Give Dancehall Its Space! 🇯🇲🔥

Let’s get one thing straight, Reggae is the foundation. The heartbeat. The sound that put Jamaica on the map. From Bob Marley to Peter Tosh, from Burning Spear to Chronixx, the roots run deep and deserve every ounce of respect.

But now, it’s time to face the rhythm that’s been shaking the world for decades: Dancehall. The sound of the streets. The energy of the youth. The culture that refuses to be boxed in.

As the 68th Annual Grammy Awards approach, even Billboard Magazine is echoing what Jamaican music lovers have been saying for years, Dancehall deserves its own Grammy category.

For too long, the Best Reggae Album award has tried to represent everything from roots to dancehall to ska under one umbrella. But let’s be real, Reggae and Dancehall, though connected, speak two very different languages.

Reggae is meditation. Dancehall is motion.Reggae uplifts the spirit. Dancehall electrifies the body.Both are Jamaica’s pride but they each deserve their own spotlight. ✨

🏆 The 2026 Grammy Line-Up

This year’s Best Reggae Album nominations highlight Jamaica’s musical range and brilliance:

• Lila Iké – Treasure Self Love

• Vybz Kartel – Heart & Soul

• Keznamdi – BLXXD & FYAH

• Mortimer – From Within

• Jesse Royal – No Place Like Home

Each artist represents a different shade of the island’s creativity, from soulful reggae storytelling to sharp-edged dancehall delivery. And that’s exactly why the Academy needs to make the distinction.

Because when you mix both worlds into one category, you blur the message. Reggae’s roots deserve their sacred space, and Dancehall’s vibrant pulse deserves its own platform to grow.

🌍 Time for Evolution

Billboard’s call-out isn’t just about an award, it’s about acknowledging evolution. Dancehall has gone from Kingston sound systems to global playlists, shaping pop, hip-hop, and even Afrobeats.

Still, we can’t forget where it all started. Reggae walked so Dancehall could run. And both genres continue to carry Jamaica’s flag with pride.

So here’s the move: keep honoring Reggae for its wisdom and soul, but give Dancehall the room to breathe, grow, and represent its own story on the Grammy stage.

Because respecting Reggae doesn’t mean dimming Dancehall’s light. It means letting both shine together, but distinct.