2002 Grammy Preview

"Fire deh a Mus Mus tail, 'im tink a cool breeze."
-Jamaican proverb

The reggae music i'ndustry is poised to establish great inroads. The tremendous diversity of recognizable talent endures a long history of legendary vintage performers, as well as a new generation of uprising youth chanting pure consciousness. With the fyah getting hotta, why then has the American music industry only felt a cool breeze? Timing may be everything. In the past few months, America was shaken to its spiritual core. The ground is fertile for healing and reggae music ready to inspire through positive and uplifting messages. Today is a 'New Day.' Now is the time for appropriate recognition of reggae and to visibly award the music which heals through word, sound and power.

America's music industry is award crazy. Although, many different music award ceremonies take place annually, the best known worldwide are the Grammy Awards, which will be presented this year on February 27, 2002. The Grammy Awards were first presented in 1957, after a small group of LA music professionals and label executives decided to create the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences (NARAS). The Grammy Awards were created to recognize the artistic achievement of talented musicians and singers, including contributions made by less visible producers and engineers. The winner in each category is chosen by the voting membership comprised of recording artists and other music professionals. The Grammy is unique in definition as a peer award honoring the artistic achievement, technical proficiency, and overall excellence in the recording industry, without regard to album sales or chart ratings. The reggae category was later added in 1984, when Black Uhuru was honored for their album "Anthem." Without the uncompromising hard work of many reggae music advocates, people like Roger Steffens and Barbara Barabino, this well esteemed American music award may have taken considerably longer to get reggae on the ballot.

More than ever, this year's reggae nominations reflect the real runnings of reggae music. This year, reggae artists, without exception, are extremely grateful, and deeply honored, for crucial acknowledgement of their work. Through this recognition, they are equally pleased and hopeful to garner additional respect for all past and future reggae artists as well. The island of Jamaica is abundantly proud of their musical heritage as evidenced in the flurry of discussions on IRIE-FM shortly after the nominations were announced. Solid recognition by the American recording industry adds credibility to reggae as critical music and positively impacts the forward movement of current and future reggae artists.

Humility runs rampant among the nominees. Damian "Jr. Gong" Marley spoke deeply from the heart when he said, "I feel great, I feel very honored, blessed even, yuh know, being so young and all, and just really starting my career. At the same time, this award is 'not the all' of it, really. It is the love of the people that's the greatest achievement I can have still." When asked if the recognition of the "Halfway Tree" [Motown] album expands the opportunity of reggae expression beyond the parameters of his father's style, Damian quickly responded about his love for the work and inspiration left behind by his father. Damian is undeniably proud to be a Marley. With abundant enthusiasm, Damian describes his current team efforts with other Marley youth to continue to expand the reggae market, yet allowing for creativity in their own style. Damian also expressed pure joy and happiness for his brother, Kymani, also a nominee in the reggae category with his release "Many More Roads" [AO!].

Kymani and Damian Marley were both home at the famous house of their father at 56 Hope Road when the Grammy nominations arrived from the office of Ghetto Youth International. Some reggae purists criticize the Marley children for not remaining true to the roots of their father's legacy. Both Damian and Kymani have infused urban, hip-hop sounds into their reggae recordings. In response, Kymani believes it is a great thing to attract a larger African American audience, as well as a younger base of reggae enthusiasts. Kymani suggested, "Musicians will have to be more creative in developing unique rhythms and flavors to capture new audiences. However, the roots cannot be forgotten. You can hear in the lyrics. This is where I come from, and that is why my latest release 'Many More Roads' is flavored with a return to the roots more than my previous album, 'Journey.' I don't really concentrate on the Grammy's and who's going to win and all of that. I have too much work to do." When asked if the recognition of a Grammy nomination gave him personal satisfaction, he replied his favorite moments are on stage and observing the audience. "This gives I energy, and this is where I feel the impact and the emotion most deeply."

Perhaps the title track of another nominated CD captures the essence of today's reggae climate. "A New Day" (VP) is truly dawning as more and more people are exposed to the glory of reggae music. Through his intense touring schedules, Luciano has created a big stir for enthusiasm across the country. Luciano's vision for his music and message go way beyond music awards. Luciano compares the Grammy to a pebble in a pond making a nice little splash, trickling out into larger circles making a big wave of music. He is encouraged that the Grammy committee acknowledges reggae artists and says they appear to be more knowledgeable about the current state of reggae. When asked if he was surprised to be nominated, Luciano responded, "the Bible says when your work is a reflection of righteousness, what you put in is what you will get out." He gives heartfelt praises to his producer, Dean Fraser, and all the singers and players of instruments on "A New Day." Luciano humbly reflects on his nomination by saying, "This award is well respected in Jamaica. The recognition brings forward the full consciousness of the people." When asked what it would take to bring reggae to the same international recognition as it was in the late seventies or eighties, he responded, "Reggae is taking on greater international magnitude right now. The profound recognition of the awards given to Bob Marley last year is as big as it gets." (The Bob Marley star awarded on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, Marley's "One Love" selected by the BBC as Song of the Century, and Time Magazine's recognition of "Exodus" as Album of the Century.)

Luciano speaks with more concern about the current state of the world, than the state of his nomination. When pushed to discuss the Grammy, he verbally regrets the reggae award is not presented live on national television. He believes out of respect for every artist, the winner should be allowed to accept the award and make a statement to the people. He considers the behind the scenes presentation demoralizing and insulting. With a telephone smile, Luciano says if he wins, he just might run on stage, grab the mic and speak out to the people. He went on to say, "If you give a person a special award and then not allow them to give a response, I feel it is hypocritical to the purpose of the award and demoralizing to the artist. They must change things up."Beres Hammond, a legendary reggae hero, has been a crucial part of the reggae fraternity for over twenty years. Beres has a unique style of touching the inner soul of his audience and capturing pure primal emotion. In this case, "Music is Life" [VP Records], his first Grammy nomination, includes a wide diversity of guest singers and top rankin' boom shots. Many people in the reggae music industry believe Beres may well be the winner. I finally caught up with Beres in Miami to ask his reaction to the Grammy nomination. Beres responded in his sweet manner that he is well pleased for the recognition. He also believes more people will be attracted to the album based on the recognition, "Some buyers will be attracted to buy even if they don't know the music. Grammy nominations or winners are sometimes merchandised together in music stores. This style of merchandising could help expand the buying audience beyond reggae." If someone picks up "Music is Life," they will get a peek into Beres, one they may not have discovered otherwise." When asked if he knew this album was special after recording it, he replied, "All of my albums are equally special. I just keep working to keep it real."

"Island Warriors" was by far the biggest surprise in the line-up of nominations. This compilation is defined as Jawaiian reggae and is produced by Roni "Hobo Kid" Lawrence for Hobo on the Hill Records. Most Americans never heard "Island Warriors" (Hobo House) until after the nomination was already announced. How does this happen? The answer lies in the zealous and conscientious efforts of multiple artists and record labels in Hawaii. Their diligence of submitting and following up paid off in grand style. "Island Warriors" profiles twelve talented reggae artists who currently reside in Hawaii. Each artist wrote their own lyrics and Hobo House produced the music. Given the indigenous Polynesian history, Hawaiian artists have long loved the reggae sound. In the last few years, the style of Hawaiian reggae has slowly moved from strictly laid back pop island sounds to serious and more consciously oriented lyrics. O-shen is best considered the closest to a serious roots reggae artist with sharp caustic lyrics and dancehall overtones. O-shen hails from Papua, New Guinea, lives in Hawaii and has a strong connection to native people.
Chuck Foster, a NARAS committee member for twelve years and well known reggae music columnist for The Beat is excited that the Recording Academy has made positive steps in expanding their own background and knowledge of reggae music. When asked if more categories for reggae should be considered in the future, Chuck replied, "Musicians are all about breaking down the divisions in the music, the music industry is all about creating divisions." These two opposing philosophies are the subject of many debates in today's reggae world from record stores to radio programming directors.

For those of us who caught reggaemylitis years ago, awards and presentations don't really add needed inspiration to help us with our musical purchases. As a collective group, we are delighted for reggae to achieve critical and necessary recognition by the American public and the mainstream music industry. A Grammy is a great achievement. It gives an individual artist a burst of recognition, a shooting star of success. A Grammy nomination or award may help create more record sales, and improve name recognition. However, the responsibility still lies with the daily habits of consumers, radio DJs, program directors, promoters, record labels, media and everyone who plays a role in furthering the positive recognition of reggae artists.

As a fan, support your local shows and be sure to express gratitude to that great artist and venue owner. Call your local radio stations and request reggae by the artist name. If you are in the industry, please consider signing up as voting member of NARAS so you can have a real voice in the advancement of reggae music. Most of all, stand up, get up, be active and creative and don't rely on award ceremonies to give proper thanks and praises to the road warriors of reggae. Uno Mek Jah Music Play!