In the past my preview was about who I thought should win and why, but I am usually wrong, and not only wrong, but most of the time I completely disagree with who is the winner. I consider myself a huge reggae fan and I think I have a great ear for reggae music; the message, the artist/band, the meaning and so on.  So do I think the Grammy’s has a problem with getting it correct….YES.  The reggae Grammy winner is determined by a voting process where members of the Recording Academy, who are involved in the music industry, listen to eligible reggae albums and vote for the one they believe is the best, with the album receiving the most votes winning the award; only albums that meet specific criteria regarding genre and content are eligible for the "Best Reggae Album" category. The Recording Academy members who vote are typically professionals within the music industry, including producers, musicians, and recording engineers. I always wonder who they are, because like I stated before, I think they get it wrong almost every year, and are usually not even close to being correct. I honestly think the Grammy’s needs to make some changes. So this year I am going at this differently, I am going to give reasons why each album should win this year. It was not the greatest year for reggae music and reggae albums, but these nominated albums are all great.  In fact, I have done a review for each one so check them out.

I’m going in the order of their release dates, so first up is Take It Easy by Collie Buddz, released on 9/29/23. This is Collie’s 4th studio album and best and most complete album to date, this is classic Collie.  While you can see and hear the growth, every Collie fan will love this album.  This album is a true reggae album which also blends in dancehall and a little hip-hop, which shows off his growth and creative powers.  Nothing rushed, nothing taken for granted.  The production is near perfect, the music so strong and the lyrics and message amazing. This is his second Grammy nomination (Cali Roots Riddim 2023), but first for a studio album nominated. This is truly a great album and Collie has paid his dues in the reggae industry.

Released on 2/14/24, same day as the Bob Marley: One Love movie, is Bob Marley: One Love (Music Inspired by the Film).  These are ten songs written and created by Bob Marley that the Marley family had a hand in choosing for this release. It is a nice choice of contemporary stars that paired up nicely with the songs, six of which come from Exodus, the album that the movie centers around. While his children have won numerous Grammy awards, Bob Marley has never been nominated since it was not a category until after his death. Bob Marley songs have been redone many may times, bands play them in concert, there are many versions out there.  I am a huge Bob Marley fan and I honestly do not like most remakes of Marley songs.  There is so much to his songs, not just the song itself, but the meaning, the feeling, the vibe. The songs are either done as, basically a cover, or are changed to make it unique, but it rarely hits.  This album was done very well, I actually caught myself listening to it over and over. They don’t all hit, but most do. This is a really strong album, I normally wouldn’t go for something put together like this, with the wide range of artists and styles, but it all comes together nicely.  It is really about ONE LOVE, spreading Bob’s message around the world.

Never Gets Late Here by Shenseea was released on 5/24/24 and is Shenseea’s second studio album and first Grammy nomination. While this is more a dancehall album, the Grammy’s only has one reggae category and award. Highlighting her signature dancehall-pop style and flow, Shenseea confidently places herself as a global superstar. This album offers a vibrant mix of genres that strengthen her distinctive sound. She brings us pop, R&B, reggae, Latin trap, Afrobeats along with collaborations from artists like Anitta, Coi Leray, Masicka and Wizkid and producers London, Supa Dups, Di Genius and Rvssian, but she still holds true with her style and her wonderful mix of toasting with her beautiful singing voice. Shenseea’s ability for creating ageless singles and albums that appeal to a very large audience is incredible, while still being able to stay true to her Jamaican roots. She continues to push the boundaries of her music while continuing to grow as an artist, with her compelling merging of genres to help grow her fanbase. This album, from start to finish, is so good and so much fun to listen to.

Released on 5/31/24, two months before his release from prison, Vybz Kartel released Party With Me, surprisingly his first Grammy nomination. For over ten years Vybz was the top Jamaican dancehall artist putting out so many hit albums and songs. Influencing so many artist, not just Jamaican and reggae, but worldwide in different genres. In just a few days of his release of Party With Me, it jumped to the #2 spot on iTunes top 100 reggae albums. It goes to show that fans still love the World Boss, and even tough he was still in prison, his fans still crave his music. The 8-track album includes 6 new songs along with two previously released in the mid-2010’s. This is a solid album, especially considering he made it in prison, but we all know there is much better music to come from the World Boss.

Last on the list is Evolution by The Wailers, released on 8/30/24. Since the death of Bob Marley, Aston “Family Man” Barrett and his brother Carlton “Carly” Barrett kept the message of Bob Marley and The Wailers alive by touring, making music, and spreading the word. Over the past few years Family Man’s son, Aston Barrett Jr., has taken over the reins of The Wailers and has pushed forth keeping that message alive and well. This album gives us some great true Wailers vibes we have always gotten since the days ofBob Marley, but the title, Evolution, is so fitting. With the different artists, from different times and different styles coming together to create this different-sounding Wailers groove, it has a little something for those die-hard Wailer fans but has a vibe to bring in other reggae and pop fans as well. The Evolution of The Wailers is evident and not only needed to be done but is very welcomed.

These are all great albums in their own way, and I wish them all the best of luck.  So many different styles, messages and vibes, but one thing is for certain, they all have put in the work and created something that is Grammy worthy (whatever that really means). As I look back on my year on iTunes, all five albums show up in my top 15 albums I’ve listened to through the year, but one finished on top. And while I would love to see Collie Buddz win because I have been a huge fan for years and he has consistently put out amazing music, or Bob Marley win because, well it’s Bob Marley the greatest reggae artist ever and one of the greatest music artist ever, or The Wailers for staying true to Bob’s message for so many years and always working so hard, or Vybz Kartel for being the top dancehall artist for so many years even while in prison. I have to give it to Shenseea, I just kept listening to her album consistently all year long, her voice is beautiful, her style is amazing and I can see her becoming an international sensation.

One Love – Todd Judd