Vybz Kartel Disavows MC Nuffy After He Crashed Out Over Keznamdi’s Grammy Win
Dancehall superstar Vybz Kartel has disavowed his longtime hype man, Andrew “MC Nuffy” Nelson’s authority to speak on his behalf after the MC crashed out online over Keznamdi’s Grammy win for Best Reggae Album.
The drama began on Monday, shortly after the Recording Academy announced that Keznamdi had taken home a 2026 golden gramophone for his album BLXXD & FYAH. The project topped a strong field of nominees that included Lila Iké (Treasure Self Love), Jesse Royal (No Place Like Home), Mortimer (From Within), and Kartel’s own Heart & Soul.
Incensed by the loss, Nuffy took to social media and unleashed a tirade that questioned Keznamdi’s credentials and the integrity of the Academy.
“Oonu already know who select Grammy, and dem no waan Kartel win no Grammy,” Nuffy raged. “Some people ah say Kartel album no have no quality. Why nominate him then if him album no have no quality? Yu a try style my general?”
He continued his attack, directly targeting the winner: “Dem nominate Kartel with Keznamdi who don’t do no journey inna music, yu don’t do nothing fi music. You come up and ah waan do yu lickle ting, yu no do nothing! Yu no have no history bout the bombocloth ting…hey Grammy, wah yu a do? Yu a try style the ting.”
Nuffy also dismissed some of the featured artists on the winning album, such as Masicka and Mavado. “Ah man Grammy, anno your Grammy. Who de pon Keznamdi album anno who get Grammy…a man Grammy anno your #@@$ Grammy,” he asserted.
The outburst drew immediate backlash from reggae and dancehall fans, many of whom felt that the remarks were especially disrespectful to Keznamdi.
In response, Vybz Kartel issued a sternly worded statement on Tuesday, distancing himself from Nuffy and clarifying the hierarchy of his camp.
“For the avoidance of doubt, the only individuals authorized to speak on my behalf in any representative capacity are: Linton TJ White — my manager [and] Jason Mitchell — my legal counsel,” the statement read.
While he acknowledged their relationship, stating, “Andrew Nuffy Nelson is my brother and my official MC,” Kartel drew a hard line regarding business. He emphasized that Nuffy “is not authorized to speak for or represent Vybz Kartel in any official, business, legal, or brand-related capacity” and that any statements made outside the authorized structure “should not be treated as official”.
Nuffy Issues Apology
Following his boss’s intervention, MC Nuffy issued an apology of his own on Tuesday, addressed to Kartel and the Recording Academy.
“I am writing to formally apologize for statements I made regarding the Grammy Awards and its recipient selection process,” Nuffy wrote. He characterized the rant as “my personal opinion, expressed in a moment of passion,” and explicitly noted that his views “were not influenced by anyone, including Azim Adidja Palmer (Vybz Kartel)”.
“I acknowledge that my comments were inappropriate and did not reflect the respect owed to the Recording Academy or its longstanding process.”
Nuffy did not mention Keznamdi by name in his retraction. Instead, he offered a general concession to the winner:
“I also extend a sincere apology to the recipient of the award in that category, as my remarks were not intended to diminish their achievement or recognition”.
“I take full responsibility for my words and regret any offense they may have caused,” Nuffy’s statement ended.