Shaggy, Sean Paul, Sly and Robbie, Ziggy Marley, Lee ‘Scratch’ Perry, and American band SOJA are nominees for the Best Reggae Album category of the 57th annual Grammy Awards. Shaggy has been nominated for his album (Out of Many, One Music), Sean Paul (Full Frequency), Sly and Robbie (The Reggae Power, featuring Spicy Chocolate), Ziggy Marley (Fly Rasta), and Lee ‘Scratch’ Perry (Back on the Controls). Released in April by Tuff Gong, Ziggy Marley’s “Fly Rasta” is the most commercially successful album in the United States by a Jamaican reggae artiste this year, with sales of more than 16,000 copies to date.
Ziggy Marley, the eldest son of reggae legend Bob Marley, has won three Grammys as lead singer of the Melody Makers. Solo, he has been nominated in the Best Reggae Album category four times, winning in 2007 for “Love is My Religion” and for “Ziggy Marley In Concert” this year.
Lee ‘Scratch’ Perry’s “Back on the Controls” was released on the Upsetter label in May. It became the enigmatic producer’s highest-American charting album when it peaked at number five on Billboard’s Reggae album chart. He won the Best Reggae Album Grammy in 2003 for Jamaican ET and has been nominated five times.
Produced by Jamaican Dwayne ‘Supa Dups’ Chin-Quee, American reggae band SOJA has earned its first nomination for their sixth studio album Amid the Noise and The Haste. To date, it has sold more than 22,000 copies.
The ceremony is slated for the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California, on Feb. 5, 2015.
American reggae band SOJA is in high spirits following its first nomination in the Best Reggae Album category of the 57th Grammy Awards on Friday.
The group, scheduled to make their debut appearance at next month’s Jamaica Jazz and Blues Festival, got the nod for the sixth studio effort Amid the Noise and the Haste.
Produced by Chin-Quee, the set features Damian Marley, Michael Franti, Nahko, Hawaiian reggae acts J Boog and Anuhea, and Bermudan reggae artiste Collie Buddz.
Jacob Hemphill, SOJA lead vocalist, spoke to the Jamaica Observer about the nomination.
“I grew up watching the Grammys, and it is a huge deal. My music is about believing in yourself and making a change within your lifetime, changing the world. My idol is Bob Marley and that’s what he did: Change things. So I’ve never been afraid to try, or to bring about change. It’s the most exciting part of life. I couldn’t be happier right now,” he said.
The singer used the opportunity to laud several people involved in the project.
“Thanks to our genius producer Supa Dups, you are an inspiration to everyone in SOJA. Big up Inner Circle for always believing in us and inviting SOJA to record at Circle House. Big up Damian Marley, Michael Franti, J Boog and all of the other amazing artistes and musicians who worked on this album. Thank you all! Let’s win this thing!” said Hemphill.
In addition to Hemphill, SOJA comprises Bobby Lee (bass player), Ryan Berty (drums), Kenneth Brownell (percussion), Patrick O’Shea (keyboards), Hellman Escorcia (saxophone), Rafael Rodriguez (trumpet) and Trevor Young (lead guitar).
SOJA released its debut album “Peace in a Time of War” in 2002. Their 2012 effort, “Strength to Survive,” has sold more than 60,000 copies.
Producer Chin-Quee is elated at the recognition.
“I feel honored and humbled to be nominated for SOJA’s ‘Amid the Noise and the Haste.’ This was one of the most difficult projects I chose to do. I am happy SOJA chose me to do this album and I am glad I did. In the end, hard work beats the talented who doesn’t work hard. I hope it will be victorious at the Grammys,” he said.
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