RoadBlock Radio CEO hails Keznamdi GRAMMY as ‘Giant Victory for Reggae’

New York-based RoadBlock Radio CEO Kacy “G City” Rankine says  Keznamdi’s GRAMMY win is “a giant victory for reggae.”

Rankine told Caribbean Life on Tuesday, Feb. 3, that he is elated that Keznamdi took home the GRAMMY Award for Best Reggae Album for his disc “Blxxd & Fyah” at the 68th Annual GRAMMY Awards in Los Angeles on Sunday, Feb. 1, 2026.

Rankine joined musical stalwart Beenie Man, Chronixx, rising reggae star Lila Iké, and Jamaica’s Opposition Leader Mark Golding in applauding the cultural significance of Keznamdi’s achievement.
“This is a giant win for reggae and for Jamaica,” Rankine said. “Keznamdi represents the heart of roots and cultural reggae.

“This win will extend his global reach tenfold,” he added. “Jamaica celebrates you, RoadBlock radio respects your contribution to the music, the New York Diaspora stands tall with you, and reggae lovers everywhere feel this victory.

“Securing a victory on the same day as Reggae Month made it even more symbolic,” Rankine continued. “You couldn’t script a better moment. This is legacy music being recognized on the world’s biggest stage.”
Rankine also saluted the strength of the Best Reggae Album field, extending respect to fellow nominees Lila Iké, Vybz Kartel, Mortimer, and Jesse Royal.

“The depth of talent in this category shows just how far reggae has traveled and how many powerful voices are shaping its future,” he said.

Jamaican-born, New York-based entertainment publicist and RoadBlock radio host Anthony “ER Guru” Turner also congratulated Keznamdi.

“It was one of the strongest lists of GRAMMY nominees we have had in the reggae category in many years,” he said. “It also came on the same night that music icons Fela Kuti, Chaka Khan, Cher, Whitney Houston, Carlos Santana, and Paul Simon were honored with the GRAMMY Lifetime Achievement Award and on the same night that Lauren Hill, Chaka Khan, and others delivered big performances.”

Turner also noted that Keznamdi’s GRAMMY triumph came on the same night that hip-hop superstar Kendrick Lamar extended his own legacy, becoming the most awarded rapper in GRAMMY history with five wins on the night and a career total of 27 awards, surpassing Jay-Z.

“Keznamdi has earned acclaim for seamlessly merging roots reggae traditions with contemporary R&B, soul, and dancehall textures,” said Turner, stating that Keznamdi hails from the esteemed McDonald musical lineage and is the son of Errol and Kerida McDonald of the legendary reggae group Chakula.

“Influenced by time spent living in Tanzania and Ethiopia, Keznamdi’s global upbringing has helped forge a sound that resonates across cultures,” he added.