Decades after winning, Ansel Collins to receive Grammy certificates

After receiving his first Grammy certificate after nearly four decades earlier this year, reggae legend Ansel Collins is now looking forward to receiving four additional Grammy certificates, including a winner certificate for his work on the 1999 release Friends by Sly & Robbie.

In January of this year, the iconic keyboardist finally received his Grammy Award for Cliff Hanger, the album by Jimmy Cliff, which won the second Reggae Grammy in 1986.

Collins, one-half of the first male duo to top the British music charts (Dave & Ansel Collins), will be presented with his Grammy certificates at a special event organised by Collins’ publisher, the UK-based Back 2 Da Future Music Ltd.

With a career spanning more than over five decades, Collins has been a pivotal figure in the reggae music scene. His work with notable artistes and bands, including The Upsetters and The Aggrovators, has cemented his legacy as one of the most influential keyboard players in reggae history.

“It is a great honour for me to finally receive these recognitions that I have been looking forward to for a long time,” said a grateful Collins. “It has been a long journey, but these Grammy certificates are a testament to the enduring power of reggae music and the incredible artistes I’ve had the privilege to work with over the years.”

The presentation is part of an initiative to distribute almost 100 uncollected Grammy certificates to persons in the reggae and dancehall music industry who have contributed to Grammy-winning and Grammy-nominated bodies of work with about 50 Grammy certificates being presented in Jamaica, and others being presented to recipients in Florida and the United Kingdom.

Kennedy Mensah, CEO of Back 2 Da Future Music Ltd, explained the process.

“Earlier this year, Ansel Collins received his first Grammy certificate after 38 years, which became the catalyst for organising this event. It’s essential to honour those who have put their heart and soul into making great, award-winning music. Ansel is just one of many artistes with uncollected Grammy certificates for various contributions to Grammy Award-winning and Grammy-nominated bodies of work. We are excited to honour these artistes this year.”

Ansel Collins gained international fame with the hits Double Barrel and Monkey Spanner. He was also the featured keyboardist on the original Stalag 17 ‘riddim’ and went on to collaborate with numerous renowned reggae artistes throughout his career. Collins continues to be an active and revered figure in the music industry, inspiring new generations of musicians.