Best Reggae Album Preview | 2020 Grammy Awards

Best Reggae Album Preview

By: Niko ‘One Drop’ Tripoli

This weekend the Grammys spectacle will be broadcasted around the world to music fans of all stripes. Although reggae music is one of the categories that won’t make it to the main awards program on Sunday night, the world of reggae music will learn the name of the artist or artists who have won the best Reggae album of the year.  At least according to members of the Recording Academy. 

In the past few years, the nominees have been a relatively accurate representation of the best the genre has to offer.  For the most part. This year is no exception.  There are five very qualified, very well done albums.  Each with their own strengths. 

Koffee: Rapture

Koffee is only the fifth woman to ever be nominated for Best Reggae Album.  Her debut EP ‘Rapture’ is the rising star’s first nomination. Koffee would be the first woman ever to win the award.  Given the buzz her and her label have generated, she has a very good chance of making history!

Julian Marley: As I Am

Julian Marley was nominated for the second time with his album ‘As I Am.’ The albums was produced by Stephen and Damian Marley (Ghetto Youths International).  The album is a solid piece of artistry that showcases Julian’s vocal strengths.  It also highlights his versatility as a musician, as he played several instruments on most songs on the record.  If you haven’t heard it yet make sure you check it out.

Sly and Robbie vs Roots Radics: The Final Battle

‘The Final Battle: Sly and Robbie vs Roots Radics’ includes some of the ‘who’s who‘ of foundation reggae music. The album includes artists and musicians such as Lee “Scratch” Perry, Ken Booth, Horace Andy, Michael Rose, Mighty Diamonds, Luciano, Toots Hibbert, Max Romeo, Pablo Moses, Freddie McGregor, the Congos, and Brinsley Ford.  Not to mention Sly and Robbie, Roots Radics, Dean Fraser, Earl ‘Chinna’ Smith, Bongo Herman, Addis Pablo, among others. The years of experience and love for the music shine through in this masterpiece of an album. This is a must for any fan. 

Steel Pulse: Mass Manipulation

Steel Pulse was nominated for a seventh time after having won in 1987 for their album ‘Babylon the Bandit’. The nominated album, ‘Mass Manipulation’, was released by Rootfire Cooperative. David Hines and keyboardist Selwyn Brown are the last two original members of the band.  That said, they still bring the same passion and fire for justice.  The album harkens back the band origins as socially and politically radical. 

Third World: More Work to Be Done

Another great nominee for Best Reggae Album is ‘More Work To Be Done’ by Third World.  The second nominee produced by Ghetto Youths International. Third World has never won a Grammy.  They have however been nominated seven times. The album is a masterwork in Jamaican musicianship and boasts an array of special guests.  It features Chronixx, Busy Signal, Pressure, Busspipe, Tessanne Chin, Taurus Riley and Junior Gong himself – Damen Marley.