Julian Marley, Alexx Antaeus hope to ‘break new ground’ at Grammys
Published:Saturday | August 31, 2024 | 12:06 AMNatasha Williams/ Gleaner Writer
Being no stranger to the Grammys, 2024 Best Reggae Album Grammy winners Alexx Antaeus and Julian Marley decide to ‘rally back’ on the upcoming 67th staging of the award show to challenge themselves on the Grammy’s new category for the ‘Best Remixed Recording category in the Pop and Dance/Electronic Field’.
In an interview with The Gleaner, the ‘Reggae Royalty’ Julian Marley said winning this category would set a different standard for himself and his team.
“Winning this Grammy would validate our team’s dedication to breaking new ground and pushing the envelope. The Amapiano Remix of Jah Sees Them reflects my passion for music that transcends the boundaries of genre. It’s a dynamic fusion that connects cultures and sounds. Music is music. Music knows no limits,” shared a passionate Julian.
As for renowned producer Antaeus, he said entering this category was destined to create an additional market for his artiste, Julian, adding to his unique sound on their Grammy-winning album, Colors of Royal, that has already created “a rich blend of Latin, African, Caribbean, and Electronic music elements, all united by Julian’s iconic reggae vocals”.
“Creating the Amapiano Remix was a natural progression, especially since it introduces Julian to a broader audience. Amapiano, [is] a genre rooted in South Africa, emerged in the mid-2010s, blending deep house, jazz, and soul music with distinctive percussive drum basslines. Adding reggae to this mix creates a fresh and innovative sound that truly deserves recognition,” Antaeus said. He added that, “ Jah Sees Them was originally laid down as a reggae track, and it gradually evolved into a fusion of reggae and electronic sounds, co-produced by me and Sean Alaric. However, it still has the unquestionable Juju vibe”.
On that note, Julian said he believes the track should win in the ‘Best Remixed Recording category’ because it’s not just a song, it’s a philosophical work of art with a timely and timeless message.
“The lyrics of Jah Sees Them are profound and carry a significant message – ‘Jah nah sleep, yuh [nuh]’. [He’s] constantly watching the injustices committed by those in power. The ‘Best Remixed Recording’ category is about creatively reimagining existing songs. Our team transformed a down-tempo reggae/electronic track into an energetic, high-tempo club hit that resonates with the vibrant Amapiano rhythm of South African townships,” the Systems artiste opined.
The upcoming Grammy award ceremony is set to take place on February 4, 2025.
Fresh off his “successful” European tour, the reggae stalwart is set to undertake an upcoming Legacy US Tour, with ‘The Marley Brothers’ – Ziggy, Stephen, Ky-mani and Damian Marley, which will kick-start later this year on September 5. Julian described this “long-awaited reunion” as “a unique experience celebrating our father [Bob Marley’s] music, influence, and legacy”.