And The Grammy Goes To... - The Pier Magazine

And The Grammy Goes To…

February 17, 2016

…MORGAN HERITAGE… On Monday night, Morgan Heritage took home the GRAMMY for Best Reggae Album for their album Strictly Roots. Upon its release in April, Strictly Roots topped the Billboard reggae charts and received an abundance of critical praise, including a Four Star Album Review from The Pier’s Tommy Dubs.

This was the group’s first GRAMMY nomination, and win. “Thank you to all our Fans and Team that played apart of Strictly Roots Album! WE WON…YES RASTA!” the group proclaimed via Twitter.

Particular standouts from the album include the lead singles “Perform and Done” and “Wanna Be Loved,” as well as guest appearances from Reggae heavyweights Chronixx, J Boog, Eric Rachmany of Rebelution, Shaggy, and more. Strictly Roots was the first release on the group’s own independent label CTBC Music Group and co-produced with Don Chandler, Seani B, Shane C. Brown, Jason ‘J-Vibe’ Farmer, Matthieu Bost and Jeremie Dessus.

When describing the album, Mojo Morgan explained, “This album pushes the envelope lyrically and musically like never before. It will surprise and enlighten music lovers all over the globe. We feel as if we’ve covered the full spectrum of Jamaican music and how it has influenced today’s global music industry. The root of these influences you hear come from Jamaica. Hence the title ‘Strictly Roots.’”

In a nominee field including the likes of Jah Cure, Rocky Dawuni, Barrington Levy and Luciano, Morgan Heritage pulled out a tough but well deserved victory. After a short celebration period, the group will hit the road for the brief Keep On Jammin Winter Tour with Blackalicious and Jemere Morgan.

We’d like to congratulate all of this year’s nominees and extend Morgan Heritage special praise for an excellent album. Lat year, Ziggy Marley won Best Reggae Album for his Live record. Now I wonder who’ll take home a GRAMMY next year?

In case you didn’t see it on TV, here is Morgan Heritage officially accepting their award on stage. It is a bit funny to see them come out to the house music playing “One Love” by Bob Marley, even though Bob Marley never won a Grammy.