Just weeks after lifting reggae’s highest honour at the Crypto.com Arena, Keznamdi’s post-Grammy momentum has hit its first visible test. The Best Reggae Album winner has slipped from the U.S. iTunes Reggae Albums Top 10 for the first time since February 1, even as his streaming numbers continue to climb and insiders tease major announcements. Meanwhile, in a separate but equally telling shift, Shaggy has overtaken Vybz Kartel on the U.S. iTunes Reggae Songs chart, reshuffling a leaderboard Kartel dominated just days earlier.
Keznamdi’s Grammy triumph placed him ahead of strong compatriot contenders including Jesse Royal, Mortimer and Lila Iké, marking a defining career milestone. However, what followed was more than a typical awards bounce. Between January 1 and February 6, the reggae singer recorded 74 new digital milestones across Apple Music, iTunes and Spotify — a 138% acceleration rate compared to his 2025 daily average. His album Blxxd & Fyah surged 104 places to No.5 on Jamaica’s Apple Music Top Albums chart, while tracks such as “Forever Grateful”, “Pressure” and “Serious Times” regained algorithmic traction globally. Industry analysts describe it as a halo effect. In practical terms, it is brand elevation.
Although the album has now edged outside the U.S. iTunes Reggae Albums Top 10, the wider data tells a more complex story. Streams remain strong, bookings have increased, and his team is reportedly preparing significant announcements in the coming weeks. A source close to the artiste confirmed momentum is still building but declined to disclose specifics. In an industry where sustained visibility often matters more than a single peak, Keznamdi’s post-Grammy recalibration may prove more durable than a chart position alone suggests.
Meanwhile, the songs chart battle has delivered its own headline moment. As of February 16, Shaggy’s 2000 classic “Angel” featuring Rayvon climbed to No.1 on the U.S. iTunes Reggae Songs chart, pushing Kartel’s “Born Ready” to No.2, while Bob Marley & The Wailers hold steady at No.3 with “Three Little Birds”. Only days earlier, Kartel commanded the Top 3 alongside another entry at No.6. The shift underscores how quickly digital reggae charts can pivot — and how legacy hits and fresh releases continue to compete in real time.
For Keznamdi, the trophy was validation. The data is the real storyline. And if early 2026 trends hold, this chapter in Caribbean pop culture is far from finished.
View this post on Instagram
