A collection of reggae’s brightest stars have been invited to the Staples Center in Los Angeles, CA on February 12th, 2017 for the 59th Annual Grammy Awards. Up for grabs is the award for Best Reggae Album. This year’s nominees are:
SOJA – SOJA: Live in Virginia
Rebelution – Falling into Place
Raging Fyah – Everlasting
Ziggy Marley – Ziggy Marley
J Boog – Rose Petals EP
Devin Di Dakta & J.L – Sly & Robbie Presents… Reggae For Her
Each nominated artist had a tremendous year in 2016, highlighted by each of these impressive albums. The full spectrum of reggae music is fairly well represented, and it seems as if the committee who selects the nominees is slowly becoming more clued into who the deserving candidates are. It goes without saying, there are also a number of artists that were snubbed. John Brown’s Body and Giant Panda Guerilla Dub Squad come to mind, but there are plenty of others.
This year brings a lot of fresh faces to the Grammys. Rebelution, Raging Fyah, J Boog, and Devin Di Dakta & J.L are all first time nominees. SOJA is making their second appearance, after being nominated in 2015 for Amid The Noise And Haste. Meanwhile, reggae veteran Ziggy Marley is hoping to bring home his 7th Grammy. A win for Ziggy would also break a tie with his brother Stephen Marley for the most Grammy awards all-time in the category.
Though the Grammys are celebrating their 59th year, it is only the 32nd year with a category specifically for reggae. In 1985, Black Uhuru took home the first ever Grammy for Best Reggae Album with their iconic album Anthem. Since then, legendary reggae artists such as Peter Tosh, Jimmy Cliff, and Steel Pulse have each received the annual award. Last year, Morgan Heritage was awarded the Grammy for Best Reggae Album for their album Strictly Roots.
As is often the case with the Grammy Awards, many of this year’s nominees are seemingly up for the award due to their entire body of work rather than just the albums they’ve released in 2016. However, the committee was on their toes nominating Raging Fyah, a band that is clearly entering their prime. It’s also great to see Rebelution and J Boog get a nod for the waves they’ve made in the genre.
Let us know who you think will return home with the Grammy for Best Reggae Album, and also who else deserved to get an invite to the Staples Center. To catch the awards, tune into CBS at 8 p.m. ET on Sunday, February 12th.
Related Links:
Official Grammys Website
Grammys Facebook
Article By: Brian Winters
Watch: SOJA – “I Believe” (Live In Virginia)
Watch: Raging Fyah – “Raggamuffin”
Watch: J Boog – “No Pressure” (ft. Snoop Dogg)
Listen: Rebelution – “Know It All”
Listen: Devin Di Dakta & J.L – “Ayo Ayo” (Sparking Loud Remix) [Lyrical Video]