Reggae Grammy Winner Keznamdi for First US Show
2026-02-24 - 12:35
Fresh off his first career victory at the Grammy Awards, Kingston-born reggae artiste Keznamdi is preparing to bring his Blxxd & Fyah live experience to audiences across the United States, marking a major step in his expanding international career and reinforcing the continued global relevance of contemporary roots reggae. Music industry publication Billboard confirmed that the singer’s U.S. performances will begin on May 13 at Hotel Cafe in Los Angeles, followed by a May 20 appearance at S.O.B.’s in New York City. Additional tour dates are expected to be announced. Tickets for both shows go on sale Friday (Feb. 27), with further details available through the artiste’s official website. “It’s a huge honour to represent Jamaica and reggae music on the global stage with this Grammy recognition,” Keznamdi tells Billboard. “New York and L.A. were the first cities where I ever sold out shows, so it felt right to start there with two intimate nights before rolling out the full tour. Jamaica is home, though, and we’re putting together a special homecoming concert down a Yard to celebrate with the people who raised, supported and carried me into the world. Much respect always. Reggae music and Rastafari forever.” Keznamdi secured the Best Reggae Album award on February 1 for Blxxd & Fyah, a spiritually grounded and Pan-African project shaped by his time living in Ethiopia and Tanzania and by the musical influence of his parents, members of the respected reggae band Chakula. The 13-track album blends roots reggae traditions with modern dancehall elements and features collaborations with Mavado, Masicka, Marlon Asher and Kelissa. At this year’s ceremony, Keznamdi emerged ahead of a competitive field that included Lila Iké, Vybz Kartel, Mortimerand Jesse Royal, highlighting what many industry observers view as a new generation driving reggae’s global resurgence. “Reggae music has always been a music [that] defends truths and rights and African liberation and Black man redemption,” he proclaimed during his acceptance speech at the Grammy Premiere ceremony. “We have to give thanks... we represent Jamaican culture and dancehall and reggae!” Industry analysts note that the upcoming U.S. performances represent a strategic expansion following award recognition, positioning Keznamdi among a rising group of reggae ambassadors helping to carry Jamaican culture into major international live-music markets while maintaining the genre’s long-standing themes of social consciousness, spirituality, and cultural identity.