The 2025 Grammy nominations landed this morning (Nov. 8), and two Jamaican powerhouses have earned their first Grammy nods for their own work.
In 2017, Shenseea made waves with a remix of Vybz Kartel‘s “Loodi”; today the dancehall star joins Kartel as a 2025 Grammy nominee for best reggae album thanks to Never Gets Late Here. Released on May 24, Never Gets Late Here serves as Shenseea’s sophomore studio album and features collaborations with Masicka, Di Genius, Anitta, Coi Leray and Wizkid. The album reached No. 4 on Reggae Albums, becoming Shenseea’s second consecutive LP to reach the chart’s top five.
“I was in the office getting my IV done, and I started screaming. The people in the office were like, ‘Oh my God! Who died?’” Shenseea exclusively tells Billboard about her initial reaction to her nomination. “I finally made it amongst the greats, that’s what I first thought. It’s [been] a long road to get here for my country and my culture. Momentum and hype is more quickly accepted that quality sometimes, especially in this new generation. For me to even make it here after all I’ve been through from stage zero, I feel like I’m at ten. It’s just the icing on the cake to win.”
Shenseaa earned a pair of Grammy nominations (album of the year and best rap album) in 2022, thanks to her work on Ye‘s Billboard 200-topping Donda LP. She appeared alongside Roddy Ricch on “Pure Souls,” which reached No. 52 on the Billboard Hot 100. “I told myself I would not attend the Grammys until I get nominated for best reggae album for my own project,” she reveals. “Even when Donda got nominated, I did not go to the awards. [This nomination] means everything to me. I feel like my hard work is finally paying off. I’ve been dreaming about this moment ever since I found out I could sing!”
If given the opportunity to perform at either the telecast or the premiere ceremony, Shenseea selects “Face Lift (Intro)” — which features her son — as her song of choice. Should she take home the Grammy next February, Shenseea would join fellow JA star Koffee as the only women to ever win best reggae album.
Just a few months after he regained his freedom, Portmore’s very own Vybz Kartel has earned his first career Grammy nomination with Party With Me, which was released this spring (May 31) via Adidjahiem Records. For over three decades, Kartel has been a leader in the dancehall genre thanks a near-constant stream of releases and sizzling crossover joints ranging from 2009’s Spice-assisted “Romping Shop” to 2016’s “Fever.”
Earlier this summer (July 31), Kartel regained his freedom after the Court of Appeal unanimously ruled that he and his co-accused — Shawn Campbell, Kahira Jones and Andre St. John — will not face a new trial for the 2011 murder of Clive “Lizard” Williams. Kartel was originally sentenced to 35 years in prison after a historic 64-day trial back in 2014, but he and his co-accused have always denied their involvement in Williams’ death.
The 2025 Grammy nominees for best reggae album are Play With Me (Vybz Kartel), Never Gets Late Here (Shenseea), Take It Easy (Collie Buddz), Bob Marley: One Love – Music Inspired By The Film (Various Artists) and Evolution (The Wailers).
The Grammys return to Los Angeles’ Crypto.com Arena on Sunday, Feb. 2.
