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Reggae Grammy nominees to be revealed today

List of all 65 albums vying for nomination in Best Reggae Album category

Published:Friday | November 10, 2023 | 12:02 PMYasmine Peru/Senior Gleaner Writer
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Burning Spear brings the fire to the microphone on the Welcome to Jamrock Reggae Cruise, which docked at Freeport in Montego Bay last December. ‘No Destroyer’ is his first album in 15 years.
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Burning Spear brings the fire to the microphone on the Welcome to Jamrock Reggae Cruise, which docked at Freeport in Montego Bay last December. ‘No Destroyer’ is his first album in 15 years.
Grammy award-winning Reggae crooner Mykal Rose of Black Uhuru fame on stage at the Atlantic Antic Street Festival, along Atlantic Avenue, downtown Brooklyn, on October 3. His album ‘I Give You Love’ is one of 65 albums under consideration for a Grammy
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Grammy award-winning Reggae crooner Mykal Rose of Black Uhuru fame on stage at the Atlantic Antic Street Festival, along Atlantic Avenue, downtown Brooklyn, on October 3. His album ‘I Give You Love’ is one of 65 albums under consideration for a Grammy nomination in the reggae category. The five nominees will be revealed today.
Queen of Reggae, Marcia Griffiths, released her latest album, Golden, on September 8.
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Queen of Reggae, Marcia Griffiths, released her latest album, Golden, on September 8.
Johnny Osbourne’s ‘Right Right Time’ was released on May 26.
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Johnny Osbourne’s ‘Right Right Time’ was released on May 26.
Lee ‘Scratch’ Perry was a complex and some would say, eccentric legend. Dilicious Vinyl released his posthumous LP ‘Destiny’, crafted alongside Bob Riddim. It is described as ‘a transcendent journey through reggae’s legacy and future’.
Voice Photo
Lee ‘Scratch’ Perry was a complex and some would say, eccentric legend. Dilicious Vinyl released his posthumous LP ‘Destiny’, crafted alongside Bob Riddim. It is described as ‘a transcendent journey through reggae’s legacy and future’.
Julian Marley at Dennis Brown Tribute concert, on February 23, 2020. ‘Colors of Royal’ by Julian Marley & Antaeus is under consideration for a Grammy nomination.
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Julian Marley at Dennis Brown Tribute concert, on February 23, 2020. ‘Colors of Royal’ by Julian Marley & Antaeus is under consideration for a Grammy nomination.
Jah Cure at the Jamaica National Racers Grand Prix 2018 held at the National Stadium on Saturday, June 9. His VP Records album, ‘Undeniable’, is under consideration.
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Jah Cure at the Jamaica National Racers Grand Prix 2018 held at the National Stadium on Saturday, June 9. His VP Records album, ‘Undeniable’, is under consideration.
Beenie Man on stage at the launch of his album Simma and birthday celebration at Di Lot, in St Andrew on Monday, August 22.
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Beenie Man on stage at the launch of his album Simma and birthday celebration at Di Lot, in St Andrew on Monday, August 22.
Buju Banton on stage during his performance at Intimate on New Year’s Day.
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Buju Banton on stage during his performance at Intimate on New Year’s Day.
Hempress Sativa at her album launch, at the Dub Club in St Andrew on Wednesday, June 14. Her album ‘Charka’, is under consideration.
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Hempress Sativa at her album launch, at the Dub Club in St Andrew on Wednesday, June 14. Her album ‘Charka’, is under consideration.
Anthony B’s ‘Bread & Butter’ is under consideration for a Grammy nomination.
Kenyon Hemans
Anthony B’s ‘Bread & Butter’ is under consideration for a Grammy nomination.
Aza Lineage in performance at the Reggae Month launch in December 2019. Her album ‘Kingston to Cali’ is being considered for a nomination in the Best Reggae Album category of the Grammy Awards.
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Aza Lineage in performance at the Reggae Month launch in December 2019. Her album ‘Kingston to Cali’ is being considered for a nomination in the Best Reggae Album category of the Grammy Awards.
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From foundation artistes, such as Burning Spear, Marcia Griffiths, Johnny Osbourne, Lee ‘Scratch’ Perry, Mykal Rose, to well-known names, including Beenie Man, Buju Banton, Julian Marley, Jah Cure, Anthony B, Bulby York, Collie Budz, Perfect Giddimani, and statement-making acts, such as Hempress Sativa, Aza Lineage and Byron Messia, who all have albums “under consideration” in the Best Reggae Album category for the 66th Grammy Awards, it is anybody’s guess who will make the final five.

The nominees will be announced today in an event that will be live-streamed starting at 10:45 a.m. ET.

The Recording Academy, (formally the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences, abbreviated NARAS) which hands out the Grammy Awards, makes it clear that entries which are submitted by record companies, as well as members of the academy, “are reviewed to determine eligibility and category placement”. The voting members of NARAS, through a series of ballots, select five nominees for each award and ultimately the winner; the voters cast ballots only in their areas of expertise.

This year, there are 65 albums under consideration in the Reggae Grammy category. Of note, however, is that this year, three of the biggest reggae acts appear on the consideration list on the Best Global Album category: Stephen Marley with Old Soul; Shaggy with the soca-flavoured In the Mood; and Morgan Heritage with The Homeland. Morgan Heritage is being considered in a total of nine categories, including Album of the Year, Best Engineered Album, Non Classical; Song of the Year; and Best Global Music Performance.

ALBUMS

No Destroyer is Burning Spear’s first release in 15 years. The 12-track album was released on Burning Music Productions on August 18. Producer and music marketer Sean ‘Contractor’ Edwards, thinks a nomination for the Spear is a no-brainer.

“Burning Spear’s album should be nominated because he is a pillar in reggae music. Right now, you could say that Burning Spear is the ‘King of Reggae’ ... the living king of reggae music,” Edwards stated.

Burning Spear was one of the reggae acts featured recently on the grammy.com Living Legends series “which spotlights icons in music who are still going strong today”.

“I think people will enjoy this album, I am saying things I never say before. The people, the fans, will find something to hold on to, to take them places or to certain situations. The album shows you where you are coming from, your tribulations, the distance you are travelling,” Burning Spear told grammy.com.

Golden, Marcia Griffiths’s latest album, was released on September 8. The 11-song set is co-produced by Kemist Music and Donsome Records. Griffiths who is celebrating 60 years in music – and who was also featured in the Living Legend series– said of Golden in a recent interview, “As for the album, well, you know, I am not even considering anything. Whatever God has in store, I am thankful.”

Johnny Osbourne’s Right Right Time was released on May 26, and sees him teaming up with the French Connexion Band. Dailyreggae.com hails the album as “an instant classic”.

American roots reggae band Groundation is celebrating the 20th anniversary of their album Hebron Gate with the release of Groundation Meets Brain Damage Dreaming from an Iron Gate . It was released in May and has an interesting, even political, history that is linked to Palestine.

Here is what the group wrote on social media,”The album is a reimagining of our 2003 release Hebron Gate which tells a 24-hour-story of the youth’s realisation of a war to come. The original album launched Grounation on to the world stage. Dreaming from an Iron Gate returns to the original master tapes, completely rearranging the song structures, changing chords and superimposing sections like the reworking of a puzzle. The music is so familiar and yet so fresh and new. Hebron is a town in south-central Palestine, home and final resting place of Abraham … as we see what is happening in our world today we repeat the 2003 original liner notes … ‘This album is livicated to all our brothers and sisters struggling for peace in the homeland’.”

Albums Under Consideration for Best Reggae Album

1. Yasus Afari - Golden Spoon Maroon

2. Akae Beka - Glory

3. Alborosie - Destiny

4. Nathan Aurora - Pop Punk Goes Reggae Vol. 1

5. Anthony B - Bread & Butter

6. Ballyhoo - Shellshock

7. Buju Banton - Born For Greatness

8. Bead N Bone - Undercover

9. Beenie Man - Simma

10. Charly Black - No Excuses

11. Blvk H3ro - On a Mission

12. Brotha George - Firm And Strong

13. Collie Buddz - Cali Roots Riddim 2023

14. Bulby York - Time & Color

15. Burning Spear - No Destroyer

16. David Cairol - Vers (E)

17. Common Kings - Celebration

18. Hollie Cook - Happy Hour in Dub

19. DMP - Long Way Home

20. Corbin Dooley - Rocksteady

21. Earthkry - Dandy Shandy

22. Easy Star All-Stars - Ziggy Stardub

23. The Expendables - Pleasure Point

24. Marcus Gad - Ready For Battle

25. Gentleman - Mad World

26. Giant Panda Guerilla Dub Squad - Love In Time

27. Green Lion Crew - Riddim Full of Culture

28. Marcia Griffiths - Golden

29. Groundation & Brain Damage - Dreaming from an Iron Gate

30. Cas Haley - Boots Rock Reggae, Vol. 1

31. Hempress Sativa - Charka

32. Honorebel - 444

33. I-Octane - Dancehall Gift

34. Jah Cure - Undeniable

35. Jahmali - Pleasant Place

36. Jonfx - Vintage Reggae

37. Aza Lineage - Kingston to Cali

38. Long Beach Dub Allstars - Echo Mountain High

39. Julian Marley & Antaeus - Colors of Royal

40. Mc Norman - Twelve

41. Byron Messia - No Love

42. MISTA Savona & Gaudi - Havana meets Kingston in dub

43. Norrac - New Born

44. Johnny Osbourne - Right Right Time

45. Pablo YG - Bad Juvi Mixtape

46. Perfect Giddimani - Ah Mi Yard

47. Lee ‘Scratch’ Perry & Bob Riddim - Destiny

48. Mykal Rose - I Give You Love

49. Aleighcia Scott & Rorystonelove - Windrush Baby

50. Shavarr - Roots

51. Shevvy - Rude Gyalaxy

52. Sly Robbie & The Team Taxi - Shakespeare The Bassman

53. Richie Spice - Black Man Time

54. Sundub - Spirits Eat Music

55. Chris Thomas The Ceo - Power

56. Jah Thomas - Clarks A Clarks

57. Valiant - 4.14

58. Various Artistes - Jamaica Festival Song 2023 Competition

59. Various Artistes - Legends Of Jamaica, Vol. 1 A Tribute To Ska

60. Various Artistes - 1 Rifle Riddim

61. Various Artistes - Tropical House Cruise To Jamaica ( The Asian Edition)

62. Various Artistes - We Remember Bob Andy

63. Clint Warren - Pacific Coast Reggae

64. Yaksta - 22

65. Zamunda - Jah Love Surround Me

yasmine.peru@gleanerjm.com