Keznamdi Wins First Grammy - Listen Keznamdi Songs

Jamaican singer Keznamdi has captured his first Grammy Award, winning Best Reggae Album for his sophomore project, BLXXD & FYAH, at the 2026 Grammy Awards. The milestone victory also marked his very first Grammy nomination.

The award was presented by legendary vocalist Dee Dee Bridgewater during the Grammy Premiere Ceremony at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles on Sunday,

February Accepting the honor, Keznamdi highlighted reggae’s deeper purpose.

“Reggae music has always been a music weh defend truths and rights, and African liberation and Black man redemption,” he said.

Holding his Grammy on stage, the artist expressed heartfelt appreciation to his parents and his team, adding,

“We a represent Jamaican culture and Dancehall and Reggae.”

Keznamdi emerged at the top of an all-Jamaican nominee lineup that included Lila Iké (Treasure Self Love), Vybz Kartel(First Week Out), Jesse Royal (No Place Like Home), and Mortimer (From Within).

Released independently on August 22, 2025, the 13-track BLXXD & FYAH blends roots consciousness with modern reggae energy. The project features collaborations with Kelissa, Mavado, and Masicka, adding dynamic layers to the album’s sound.

A Musical Legacy

Born Keznamdi McDonald in Kingston, Jamaica, he grew up surrounded by music. His parents, Errol and Kerida McDonald, were members of the reggae group Chakula. Talent runs throughout the family — his sister Kamila McDonald is a Jamaican media personality and fitness expert, while his other sister Kelissa McDonald is a singer and the wife of reggae star Chronixx.

Long before Grammy night, Keznamdi had a clear vision for BLXXD & FYAH. In a 2025 interview, he described his approach to crafting a complete listening experience:

“When you’re putting together a body of work, you want somebody able to play it from track one, go all the way down to the end without skipping it… you have to have a basket of fruits and have something on there for everybody.”

He also emphasized the global and social themes woven throughout the album:

“There’s a huge global outlook on the project… the thread that ties everything together is the third-world perspective and the struggle of living in a third-world country and thinking big, trying to overcome oppression from colonial systems that are still there.”

Check out One Of His Freestyle Hits

About the Category

The Best Reggae Album category was first introduced at the Grammy Awards in 1985 under the name Best Reggae Recording. The Recording Academy says the award honors excellence in reggae music, including roots reggae, dancehall, and ska.

To qualify, albums must contain more than 75% new reggae recordings, and key contributors — artists, producers, and engineers — are also recognized if they worked on more than half of the album.

The first winner in the category was Black Uhuru for Anthem. Over the years, the award has frequently gone to reggae greats such as Stephen Marley (8 wins), Ziggy Marley (7 wins), and Damian “Jr. Gong” Marley. Altogether, the Marley family accounts for a significant share of wins in the category’s history.

Recent recipients have included:

• Bob Marley: One Love – Music Inspired by the Film (2025)

• Julian Marley & Antaeus – Colors of Royal (2024)

• Kabaka Pyramid – The Kalling (2023)

• SOJA – Beauty in the Silence (2022)

• Toots & the Maytals – Got to Be Tough (2021)

• Koffee – Rapture (2020)

Keznamdi Featuring Masicka 

With BLXXD & FYAH now etched into Grammy history, Keznamdi’s victory represents not just a personal achievement, but another proud moment for Jamaican reggae on the global stage.