Four songs and one album have been shortlisted in the Reggae Recording of the Year category at the 2026 JUNO Awards, marking another strong year for reggae’s presence on Canada’s biggest music stage.
The nominees were announced Monday by the Canadian Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences ahead of the 55th annual JUNO Awards, which will be held on Sunday, March 29, 2026, at the TD Coliseum in Hamilton, Ontario. The ceremony will be hosted by comedian, singer, and actor Mae Martin.
Leading the list of first-time contenders is Jamaican singer Naomi Cowan, who earned her debut JUNO nomination for her first full-length album, ‘Welcome to Paradise’. The project represents a major milestone for Cowan, signaling her growing impact within Canada’s reggae landscape.
Also earning a first-ever nomination is Dagga Riddim Cypher, a collaborative track featuring Jojo You Made That, Yung 2nuff, Erin B, Topman Meeko, One Don, and Enzooo. The cypher-style release showcases a collective approach to modern reggae, bringing multiple voices together on one dynamic production.
Veteran artists dominate the rest of the category, led by Exco Levi, the defending champion. The Manchester-born singer secured his 13th JUNO nomination for ‘Ready for You’, a collaboration with Kheilstone. Exco Levi is one of the most decorated artists in the category’s history, boasting six wins, including a dominant streak between 2012 and 2015, and another victory in 2017.
Kirk Diamond, originally from Spanish Town, Jamaica, continues his impressive JUNO run with a nomination for his song ‘Deh Ya’. This marks Diamond’s seventh nomination overall, adding to a résumé that already includes three JUNO wins in 2018, 2023, and 2024.
The category is rounded out by Samora and Ammoye, who are nominated for ‘More Reggae (Funk It Up)’. For Ammoye, who hails from Clarendon, Jamaica, this is her eighth JUNO nomination. Despite multiple nods over the years, she is still seeking her first JUNO win, making this year’s race particularly significant.
With a mix of newcomers and decorated veterans, the Reggae Recording of the Year category reflects both the depth and diversity of reggae music in Canada. As anticipation builds toward March, the 2026 JUNO Awards promise another compelling chapter in the genre’s continued evolution and recognition on the national stage.