50 reggae acts have made the shortlist for the Best Reggae Album award at next year’s Grammys.

The 50 nominees for Best Reggae Album will be trimmed to five (or six) finalists when the full list of next year's nominees are announced on December 5 at the Staples Center in Los Angeles.

Vybz Kartel’s Pon Di Gaza Mi Sey album, released in October 2011, a month after his arrest on drug and subsequent murder charges made the shortlist.

Another jailed dancehall entertainer, Busy Signal has also been nominated for his album, Reggae Music Again.

Konshens is up for his debut album, Mental Maintenance and Mr. Vegas also appears on the shortlist for his double disc, Sweet Jamaica.

Additionally, past Best Reggae Album winners such as Sean Paul (Tomahawk Technique), Toots Hibbert (Reggae Got Soul: Unplugged) and Jimmy Cliff (Rebirth) scored nominations.

The 55th annual Grammy Awards will take place on February 10, 2013.