Da Grammys 2023!

Okay so, we look up and the calendar tells us that it is that wonderful time of year again when people like you and me take a look at the news and attempt to make entirely inaccurate predictions about what is coming as, recently, the nominees for the 2023 and 65th Grammy Awards were announced and today we, do what we always do and take a look at the nominees for Best Reggae Album and, again, make predictions which have NO chance of coming true. 

Last year, there was a bit of controversy as US band, SOJA, beat out five different Jamaican acts to take the award and many fans (and others) had a problem with them winning. This year, no such thing is even possible as all five nominees are Jamaican based artists. The list also includes three former winners (one of whom has won twice) and a previous nominee as well. I will say that I was somewhat surprised not to see Shenseea given a nod for her debut "ALPHA". I'm also thinking that it's somewhat surprising not to see Horace Andy get a mention for the extremely well received "Midnight Rocker" collaboration with Adrian Sherwood. But,, as for those who DID get the call - let's do it!

"The Kalling" by Kabaka Pyramid [Ghetto Youths International & Bebble Rock Music]

I'm sure it's happened, but it is very rare that the album which I feel is the best of the year is even observed amongst the nominees, much less actually wins the Grammy. Because of that, I was VERY happy to see my current favourite (and likely winner, unless someone does something TRULY stunning in the next six or seven weeks), Kabaka Pyramid's "The Kalling" listed here and, though I feel he has the least chance of winning, getting his name into the mix can be a very good thing going forward. For as talented as the Pyramid is, however, he will struggle mightily to eclipse what he set forth on "The Kalling" which was, in retrospect, probably one of the single greatest displays of a tangible SKILL that Reggae has seen in a very long time..... at LEAST.

"Gifted" by Koffee [Promised Land Recordings]

Meet Koffee. The rapturously delightful artist who took home this award in 2020 with "Rapture" will likely have EVERY SINGLE ALBUM SHE EVER MAKES, EVER, be nominated for a Grammy. Though she's still just twenty-two years old and to say such a thing is truly ridiculous - it is the complete truth and you know it. She made the absolute best of her opportunity to demonstrate that with her EXCELLENT 2022 project, the aptly named "Gifted" which, as it stands (unless I am REALLY forgetting someone) is the second best album that I've heard this year. Koffee is the only woman and the youngest person to have ever taken home the Reggae Grammy and she's really just a breath of proverbial fresh air. Diversity can be such a powerful thing, particularly here as she's become a household name in the genre and one whose style and persona has no bloodline. Truly one of a kind.

"Scorcha" by Sean Paul [Island Records]

When Sean Paul makes an album, it gets nominated for a Grammy: It's just the way of the world. 2023 will find the 2004 winner celebrating not only his SEVENTH honour from the Grammy's, but his second consecutive following "Live N Livin' from this year. "Scorcha" was not quite as potent as its most immediate predecessor, but it would go fairly well received and it's absence from this list would have been a much larger shock than its inclusion. "Scorcha" was fun and, thought it did have more worldly ambitions, somewhere in its midst, fans could piece together a relatively decent Dancehall effort. Looking back now, it may've been just a touch stronger than we gave it credit for being and Sean Paul has, wonderfully, grown to become someone who always seems to have the best interest of the music at heart and "Scorcha" was certainly no exception.

"Third Time's The Charm" by Protoje

In 2019, Protoje's "A Matter Of Time" would be nominated (and lose out to the next entry I'm going to tell you about) and that is a GOOD sign this time around in my opinion. It means that whoever is in charge of voting for these things are likely familiar with his work and, of course, it also helps that the extremely gifted artist has seen a general raise in profile across the last half decade or so, which is saying a lot because I could say the same of the previous five years as well. Also, history suggests that, at least when it comes to Reggae, the winners in this category are artists who were previously nominated more often than not. While I didn't LOVE "Third Time's The Charm", I was well in the minority in that opinion and even I would have to admit that it was quite good. It carried a tune in 'Incient Stepping' which has become one of my favourite songs from anyone this year and, though this year remains a question, I am DAMN confident that, be it in 2023 or beyond, Protoje will win the Best Reggae Album Grammy at some point in his career - no question about it. 

"Com Fly Wid Mi" by Shaggy [Mr. Luva Luva Inc]

In terms of sheer firepower, it's harder to get more arsenal than "Com Fly Wid Mi" which is an album featuring two time Best Reggae Album Grammy Award winner, Shaggy, singing Reggaefied versions of legendary singer, Frank Sinatra, with another legend, Sting, serving as producer (coincidentally, it was Sting, himself, linking with Shaggy on "44/876" which took this prize in 2019). Simply because of those circumstances, you shouldn't be at all surprised if "Com Fy Wid Mi" were to win this time around as well. As for the actual music, while it was clearly geared towards a certain type of crowd of which I am not a member, the album was not without its moments as the opener, 'That's Life', 'Witchcraft' and definitely 'Luck Be A Lady' all registered as significant highlights in my opinion with a sound somewhere right between Reggae and Big Band (....should have called Sara Lugo, Sting). 

AND THE WINNER IS................

"Gifted" by Koffee

When I first SAW it (meaning before I'd heard it), I was of the mind that "Gifted' was going to win the Grammy (a month and a half before it released, I congratulated Koffee on her win). Of course, I did not know what the competition would look like at the time, (I probably at least knew Sean Paul would be doing something at the time) and though I'm not as confident today as I was then, I'm still giving Koffee the nod. The sleeper pick would go to Protoje. As I said, I see him winning it at some point and maybe 2023 is the year....

Of course with me saying it like that, that means that your likely winner of the 2023 Grammy Award for The Best Reggae Album is Kabaka Pyramid. WHO KNOWS! Find out on the 5th of February, 2023. 

Completely Random Thoughts..... I mean COMPLETELY!

 

Okay so, congratulations to SOJA, who took home their very first Grammy Award for Best Reggae Album for "Beauty In The Silence". It was their third nomination and as I said in my entirely inaccurate Grammy Preview, I wasn't TOTALLY shocked that they came away with the award, in theory. I've seen some who were FAR less than thrilled that SOJA that won but, in my humble opinion, Reggae music is a music for everyone. It belongs to everyone and no one at all. So biggup SOJA and, again, congratulations (and congratulations to Koffee for her win in 2023 as well). 

For some reason, I've suddenly become re-addicted to this six season old Patrice Roberts tune.

"NOT AN OUNCE OF SHAAAAAAAAAAAME!"

And for nearly a decade and a half I've  been working through my dependency on Fay-Ann Lyons' 'Get On'.... simply one of the greatest Soca songs of all time.

And speaking of Soca: I don't know what the album of the year (Koffee is the current leader of the pack, nine months left to go) or artist of the year or anything of the year for 2022 will be when all is said and done... but I'm fairly confident that I know what the album cover of the year will be. Look at this thing! 

If you're wondering (and you should be), the music on the Timeless Riddim from Advokit Productions (through Fox Fuse), is very nice as well with Destra taking top honours in my opinion with 'Farewell'.

And maybe Lila Iké is taking care of Video Of The Year with her latest, 'True Love'. DAMN!

Da 2022 Grammy Awards

How things have changed! It wasn't very long ago that, when it came to Reggae music, one of the single biggest awards in all of music, The Grammy's, had been relegated to only giving out their annual trophy in recognition of the genre's best album of a particular year to a very select group of individuals and even potential individuals. First was the group of legends, with Jimmy Cliff, Peter Tosh, Bunny Wailer, Burning Spear and the likes; then was a group of EXTREMELY popular contemporary artists such as Shaggy, Inner Circle, Shabba Ranks and later, Sean Paul, and then there was anyone named Marley... and that was it. On the one or two occasions when someone who did not fit into either of these categories did win within the first three decades of the existence of the award, you could even make the case that it still did as, in 2001, Beenie Man's popularity had, arguably, risen to the levels of the likes of Shabba Ranks (and he had been nominated in the previous two years), as had that of Buju Banton, a decade later when he took home the prize (and he'd been nominated four times before winning) (and I also think he was convicted of a crime and sentenced to US prison in the very next day or two if I recall correctly). 

All of that clearly changed in 2015 when, Morgan Heritage shocked everyone by taking home the thirty-second Reggae Grammy award with their album, "Strictly Roots" [pictured]. That entire year was an odd one as the full nominees included the likes of Barrington Levy, Luciano and, jarringly, both Jah Cure and Rocky Dawuni. At the time, there was only a single nomination between them (Luciano, in 2002 for "A New Day") (Damian Marley's "Halfway Tree" won that year and deservedly so in my opinion)... and how cool is it that Rocky Dawuni was nominated for a Grammy! Since then, things have changed SLIGHTLY. US based bands have been honoured more consistently with both SOJA (more on them in a second) and Rebelution charting multiple Grammy nods, each, since 2015. Sweet singing Hawaiian, J Boog, has also had a pair of nominations, the Morgans have been back and we've seen a general push towards younger names who haven't necessarily had the global smashing success as Shabba and Sean Paul before them. Still, amongst the winners, things have returned to form for the most part, with a pair of Marleys, Ziggy in 2017 and Damian the following year, winning the Grammy (Ziggy would also be nominated in 2019 for "Rebellion Rises", as would "As I Am", from Julian Marley in 2020). In 2019 the award would go to "44/876", a collabourative effort between Shaggy and Pop legend, Sting, while last year Toots and The Maytals would win their second Grammy with "Got To Be Tough". But something strange happened in 2019 as well. I have no idea when this will be posted, but I am writing it on the twenty-fifth of March (currently it is 8:04PM, because I know you're wondering). Today is the same day on which one of the biggest Reggae albums of the year releases as the BLAZING Koffee has dealt to us "Gifted", her much anticipated debut full album (listening to it while I write this and writing its review will surely be the next thing I turn my attentions to). In 2020, her debut EP, "Rapture", would net the then ninteen year old Spanish Town native a Grammy, marking the very first time a female had won it (and only the fourth time one had been in the running by my quick search) (have two this year, a wonderful first) and although I typically don't like the idea of an EP winning album of the year, I have to give a big congratulations for the Grammy committee for that selection (the other projects up that year came via the 'usual suspects'), looking back. That was wonderful! 

So, as we approach the 2022 Grammy Awards presentation, I though we'd take a quick look at the nominees for Best Reggae Album and make a (sure-to-be-incorrect) prediction (won't have to write one of these for next year, "Gifted" is winning, I assure you) (and Shenseea will also be up next year for her album "ALPHA") (as will, potentially, Beenie Man and, definitely, Sean Paul). 

And the nominees are:

"Positive Vibration" by Gramps Morgan [Halo Entertainment Group]

The Morgans are represented once again this year, via Gramps with his third solo release, "Positive Vibration". I can remember listening to this album and thinking that something about it just didn't 'do it' for me (I think it's a little bit too... Country-ish for me), but I think he has a decent shot at winning the award in this, clearly, wide-open year. The heavily Country-ed aspect of his album may, in fact, endear him to voters even further and, of course, they're well familiar with his name. 

"Pamoja" by Etana [Freemind Music]

Etana's "Pamoja" being on this list brought the biggest smile to my face as, not only is it the second time the golden voiced singer has received such an accolade ("Reggae Forever" was up three years ago), it's also the single BEST album on this list in my opinion.  Her chances of actually winning may not be the "BEST", however (they aren't) but it is a lovely reward given not only how consistent she's been in general, but also for the AMAZING work Etana has managed to string together on albums, specifically. 

"Beauty In The Silence" by SOJA [ATO Records]

Would I be surprised to see SOJA win a Grammy? No I would not. Though I put their chances second lowest on this list (which probably means they'll have the second most votes), if persistence is any indication, SOJA's "Beauty In The Silence" has an excellent chance as it marks the band's third run at a Grammy in the last eight awards. I've never gotten too much into their work (have to do something about that), but what I will say for SOJA is that every time I do run into their music, what I do hear is clear QUALITY and SKILL. It's also generally a very catchy and infectious brand of Reggae and "Beauty In The Silence" was definitely no deviation. 

"Live And Livin" by Sean Paul [Dutty Rock Productions]

2004's Grammy winner and SIX time nominee (every album he's ever done save for his first, which was his best has been up for a Grammy) (biggup "Stage One", one of the best modern Dancehall albums of all time), Sean Paul, can always win this award and if I were a betting man (I'm not), I would say that amongst this group, on paper, he definitely has the highest odds for his "Live And Livin". Unless I'm forgetting something, I'd call "Live And Livin", SP's best work from "The Trinity" in 2005 (what a fun time "The Trinity" was) and with its followup, "Scorcha", already loaded and ready to go in May, you can well expect his name on this list next year as well (I'm just filling up that group for 2023 Grammy, Koffee, Shenseea, Beenie Man, Sean Paul.... Bounty Killer???) (remove Beenie or Bounty if we get an album from a Marley) (oh and I forgot about Burning Spear!).

"10" by Spice [VP Records]

Despite Spice's popularity and the fact that I was absolutely delighted to see her having been given a look here, I'll be pretty surprised should her looooooooooooong anticipated and delayed debut set, "10", managed to actually win. For as much fun as it undeniably was (and it was), "10" was dirty as hell. It was FILTHY. The album featured the gifted deejay at her animalistic and downright primal best. Such a set might not be the most likely to nab her a Grammy, but Spice probably did deliver the year's most FUN release. 

"Royal" by Jesse Royal [Easy Star Records]

Lastly is a bit of a wildcard and a wonderful one as Jesse Royal definitely did the unlikely in grabbing a Grammy look for his "Royal" release. In retrospect. what I really enjoyed about this entry in particular is just how it seemed to grow and Grow and GROW! The attention "Royal" would receive would push it to be, arguably, one of the most talked about releases of the year in Reggae circles, but not very much beyond, which shows you that the Grammy committee, whoever they may be, definitely did their research. 

AND THE WINNER IS.......

"Pamoja" by Etana [Freemind Music]

I'm giving whoever is in charge of voting on these things a big credit in this prediction because this year there is a very obvious choice in "Live And Livin". However, I'm going to assume that the people who do make these decisions have changed course in recent times and, if they have, what they will notice is that Etana's "Pamoja" is an EXCELLENT choice for winning this award. Also, in a year where we do have two women candidates, I think it's likely that one of them take home the prize and a previous nominee who dropped such a powerfully progressive and POSITIVE project definitely fits the bill. 

Am I right [HELL NO!]? Find out when the 2022 Grammy Awards are announced on Sunday, the 3rd of April, 2022.