Okay so, we look up at the calendar and what it tells us is that it is now that wonderful time of year where we all sit around and... make fools out of ourselves by attempting to predict just who will take home the Grammy in a few months, as the nominations for the 2024 (and 66th) Grammy Awards have been announced. As usual, there were some (most) expected nominees and one or two (one) unexpected, but here we go, let's take a look at them and make a certain to be incorrect prediction as to who takes home the prize.
"No Destroyer" by Burning Spear [Burning Spear Music]
If the Grammy voters have any sense of sentimentality, here is your favourite. The legendary Winston Rodney, Burning Spear, returned this year with his first album in nearly a decade and a half, "No Destroyer". Coincidentally, his most recent prior album, "Jah Is Real", would net the Spear his second Grammy win (following "Calling Rastafari" in 2000) and, by my surely incorrect count, he has now been nominated a grand total of THIRTEEN times for this award. The second "No Destroyer" was announced, you knew it would be nominated so it comes as no surprise and if you actually listen to it (tune called 'Jamaica' leads the way in my opinion), it is a delightful album. It was extremely well received and if I had to pick a favourite, this would be it.
"Simma" by Beenie Man [MD Music Group]
Another rather obvious selection comes in "Simma", the latest set from now four time nominee and previous champion, Beenie Man. What to say about "Simma".... I did not love this album and have less appreciation for it at this moment than I did when I first heard it (off the top of my head, without looking it up, I cannot name you a single song off of it) (not including the title track, of course) but, again, you're not at all shocked to see it appearing here on the strength of the name of its star (although it is worth mentioning that Beenie's previous release, "Unstoppable" (which wasn't great either but probably slightly stronger than "Simma" for me, in retrospect) did NOT receive a Grammy nod at all) and you're also not astonished if it manages to win.
"Born For Greatness" by Buju Banton [Gargamel Music/Roc Nation]
" ....I did not love this album and have less appreciation for it at this moment than I did when I first heard it". I'm going to quote that bum who wrote ^ that up there in reference to "Simma" and use it for "Born For Greatness", from another previous winner and seven time nominee, Buju Banton. Again, though not approaching the level of being a great album, given who made it you cannot be surprised at all to see "Born For Greatness" appearing in this list. Even when he's active and they're plentiful, Buju's albums have always had this kind of 'large' vibe about them and this one was no different. His work is always looked at as being a big deal (even when he isn't at his greatest) and you EXPECT his projects to be here and you do not move a muscle if he actually wins.
"Colors Of Royal" by Julian Marley & Antaeus [Monom Records]
Here's an interesting one. While I've never been the biggest fan of Juju Royal, Julian Marley.... well, he is a Marley, so he's been nominated for one of these now for the third time (and not just because of THAT. Full credit to his talents, I'm just not super into it). Unsurprisngly, however, the project for which he was observed, "Colors Of Royal" alongside Antaeus, is... it's tough. It's an EP with eight tracks in full and two of those are remixes (and two of the originals are remakes) so I don't know why, outside of the obvious, why this one was nominated but, of course, that means it will likely win.
The Cali Roots Riddim 2023 [Ineffable Records]
And lastly, though he's never been up for one before, it shouldn't come as a complete upset that Collie Buddz is getting a look from the Grammy committee. However, in a year where the Bermy grown star released a brand new album, one would have thought that it would been it -- "Take It Easy" -- which would have gotten the shine (and that album is very good, actually). That wasn't the case as, instead, it's the track that he produced, The Cali Roots Riddim which is taking the honours and doing so as the likely darkhorse of the lot. To its credit, the Cali Roots has a large claim as being the single best of its kind this year and one of 2023's greatest releases, in general.
And the winner izzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz...
The Cali Roots Riddim 2023
Fuck it. Why not? Last year Kabaka Pyramid won with what was not only the best project to be nominated but also my choice as the year's finest album altogether. The Cali Roots Riddim is not the best Reggae album this year (that distinction goes to Queen Omega), but it's the best of this lot with respect to Burning Spear. Also, how cool would it be if not only a riddim album won the Grammy but also I'm of the belief that everyone who was involved would receive either their own Grammy or some type of physical representation for the accomplishment which would mean that personal favourites of ours including SARA LUGO and Khalia would immediately begin being referred to as "GRAMMY WINNING VOCALIST...". Again, it's probably the most unlikely choice, but I said that last year and look what happened.
Am I right? NOPE. Find out exactly how wrong I am when the winners of the 2024 Grammy Awards are announced on Sunday, the 4th of February.
Okay so, look up on the release schedule and.... there're quite a few GIANT names loaded and set to release full projects in the next couple of months or so, thought I'd pack them all in a nice, neat (it'll be messy) little package for you so you won't forget; and even if you do forget, I'll probably tell you about them again at some point. Let's go!
"The I-Grade" by Sizzla Kalonji [Izreal Records & Sonovic Music]
I guess the new good news about the next album from Sizzla Kalonji is that it's a virtual LOCK to be better than the last album from Sizzla Kalonji. In April, the wizard from August Town released "Run Tingz", which may lay a slight claim to being the single WORST album he's ever done. He has roughly two or three million albums or so, so you know that such a statement should carry a lot of weight. "Run Tingz" was absolute trash. So I can extend my 'guarantee' and say that either "The I Grade" will be better (it will be)... or it will be THE worst album he's ever done.
In March, Kalonji dropped a single in collaboration with Izreal Records and Sonovic Music by the name of 'New Year'. That song was average, maybe slightly below even, and it was infinitely better than every song on "Run Tingz" save for one which I don't feel like looking up (I think it was called 'Gallang Bad'). It didn't make me hopeful for anything else that the union might produce, but you look up and they've now come together to make a full album, "The I-Grade". I don't have much in the way of expectations in regards to this one -- unfortunately most of Sizzla's recent complete albums have been underwhelming -- but there're a couple of tiles that seem promising at least and maybe "The I-Grade" will come as a surprise to us and break the recent trend.... and it is still a new Sizzla album and, somewhere inside of me, "new Sizzla album" STILL excites me, all these years later. "The I-Grade) releases on the 11th of August.
"No Destroyer" by Burning Spear [Burning Music]
Now I told you there would be legends. The biggest of them all in this post is the legendary Winston Rodney, Burning Spear who is making a full comeback to the game following an official retirement of half a decade or so. Having returned to the stages ~ 2021, the Spear is now set to deliver his first full album since 2008, "No Destroyer". I can remember thinking it rather odd that a musician retired because although it did happen, functionally, you so very rarely hear it actually announced and, as far as I know, it usually comes as a result of poor health. Thankfully and clearly that wasn't the case here as the near octogenarian Reggae BEAM (without Burning Spear, we'd all be kinda lopsided) did not make a brief check-in type of revival on one of his favourite shows or anything like such. He has truly come back to us.
Ahead of the release of "No Destroyer", Burning Spear has given us a taste of what is to come via the album's first single, 'Mommy', which is excellent. The two-time Grammy winner figures to be also in play this year and, unless I'm really forgetting someone, here is your sitting Grammy favourite of 2023, the moment it comes out. That moment ("it comes out") is nearing as Burning Spear's "No Destroyer" is available from August the 18th.
"Simma" by Beenie Man [MD Music Group]
Though the tracklist that I've seen does not currently list any, supposedly the latest album from long reigning King Of The Dancehall (in my opinion, the Dancehall's final king for the moment, because Dancehall ain't Dancehall any more), "Simma", is absolutely loaded with featured guests: To name but a few of the ones you're likely to be most interested in, Busy Signal (that should be wild), Sean Paul, Louie Culture, Bunji Garlin, Shaggy, Morgan Heritage, Shenseea and Anthony Red Rose. While handling production are the likes of Suku, Jeremy Harding and Tony Kelly. That lot of names has me WELL interested and hopeful that the [actual] Dancehall side of Simma could at least potentially be quite special. Of course I'm also expecting (due to Beenie saying it) a wide variety of mixture in the vibes -- also featured are previous collaborator, R&B singer Mya and the inescapable Stonebwoy.
Billed as 'The Doctor's' seventeenth overall studio release and his first in the seven years since 2016's uneven "Unstoppable", "Simma" comes via his own MD Music Group (earliest rumours that I recall hearing had it coming through VP Records and we'll see if they have any involvement with the project, ultimately. "Unstoppable" was done on Beenie's 357 Records and released by VPAL, VP's distribution arm), which is certainly a big step in a career which has been full of such strides. Though I'm expecting it to be quite 'worldly', I do have a relatively good feeling about "Simma" and I'm expecting the Dancehall portion of it to be considerable... also a LOCK to receive a Grammy nod at the end of the year. "Simma' is set to reach just nine days after Beenie Man's FIFTIETH birthday on the 22nd of August.
"Born For Greatness" by Buju Banton [Gargamel Music + Roc Nation]
Lastly (literally, it's the last one coming out) is Buju Banton who is already back from 2020's Grammy nominated "Upside Down" ["Mi nuh trust phone, mi nuh own, mi like it"] with "Born For Greatness". Like pretty much everything Buju does these days (and has done for a very long time, for the most part), "Born For Greatness" comes via his own Gargamel Music imprint and the same association which was struck for distribution of the aforementioned "Upside Down", with Roc Nation, is still at work here.
With respect to Burning Spear, I'm thinking that "Born For Greatness" will turn out to be the best actual release on this list. It will certainly be varied, it always is from Buju, but it will just as surely carry a few HAMMERS! One of which, 'Coconut Wata [Sip]' has already dropped ahead of the album and it is FILTHY! Longtime friend Stephen Marley, Snoop Dog and Victoria Monet all feature (and I'm also really looking forward to tunes called 'My Microphone' as well as 'Yard & Outta Road' and 'Walked Out') and you know Buju always brings in A+ level talents in production as well. Like the two albums I've mentioned ahead of it, "Born For Greatness" is also a likely Grammy nominee, at the very least, for 2023 as well and September 8th, 2023 is its due date. ENJOY... I'm going to have a nap and I'll see you later.
