THERE are only three days to go before the Grammy awards are presented at the Staples Centre in Los Angeles, California. Once again, a reggae artiste will win an award for efforts over a year, ending in October of last year. But there seems to be very little interest in the Grammys here in Jamaica. A large number of persons connected with the local entertainment industry do not know who the nominees are and many are not interested.
Reggae's first Grammy Award was won in 1985 by Black Uhuru for the seminal album Anthem. The Grammy is viewed around the world as a symbol of major success, but Duckie Simpson of Black Uhuru feels that it can be a jinx.
"The Grammy award does not hold much prestige. As a matter of fact I feel it is a jinx, because a lot of people's careers have gone downhill after winning. Right now I am not paying much attention to the Grammy. It is the worst trophy I have in my house. Look how it look cheap and ordinary!" he said.
Simpson said he had paved the way for those who have come afterwards.
The nominees for this year's reggae Grammy are Beenie Man - Art And Life, Wailing Souls - Equality, Dennis Brown - Let Me Be The One, Gregory Isaacs - Private And Confidential and Pato Banton - Life Is A Miracle.
When contacted by Showbiz for comments, most people were either not aware of the nominees and asked to be reminded, or simply declared that they had no interest. Those who were not aware of the artistes and their albums asked not to be named.
Desmond Young, president of the Jamaica Federation of Musicians says it is an indication of how disconnected many industry people in Jamaica are to what is happening in the wider world.
"Each time the Grammy nominees are announced people keep asking who are those guys and complain that they have never heard some of the albums. The fact is that a lot of people in the wider world will not send their albums to Jamaica, because they feel only one type of music (dancehall) is being played in Jamaica. When you go all over the world the albums are there. People have a different overall view of the music industry because their minds are opened to many other things," he said.
Predictions
The predictions of local music experts were sought. IRIE FM radio disc jock Big A said he believed Beenie Man had a good chance.
"Based on his prominence and visibility over the past few years, I think he's going to get it. This year he has been more successfully internationally than any of the previous attempts. However, Dennis Brown should not be overlooked. There has always seemed to be some recognition for roots reggae and with Bob Marley getting the Lifetime Achievement Award, plus being nominated in another category, the trend might continue. Last year Burning Spear got the award, so the tendency might be to give it to another of the founding fathers," Big A said.
Manager of Gee Jam Recording Studio Steve Wilson said it would be nice if Dennis Brown won.
"Beenie Man has a good chance, but I believe his Many Moods Of Moses was a better album than Art And Life. But the way the Grammy people operate there's no telling. The reggae Grammy is now in a situation that the hip hop and heavy metal Grammy was in eight years ago, where the people making the selection do not have enough knowledge of the genre," Mr. Wilson told Showbiz.
DJ Bounty Killer thinks Gregory Isaacs has a good chance.
"Night Nurse has put Gregory Isaacs in good light on the international market. Whereas Dennis Brown also put in a lot of work, Gregory has got across to a lot of people when Simply Red covered that song and made it bigger. It is good that Beenie Man keeps on getting nominated, but he might have to wait another five years. The Grammy is something the world looks at and it raises your stars as an artiste," he continued.
Award
Radio disc jock Jerry D thinks NARAS will make the award to the Wailing Souls. "Based on how they've moved over the years, I think they'll give it to Wailing Souls. They've shown a tendency towards roots music over the years and although Shabba Ranks got it for dancehall, on average roots music has ruled", he said.
Desmond Young was careful to wish each nominee good luck.
"Everybody put out their best and expectations are high. I find all the contenders deserving and I hope that the best person wins," he said.
Prime Minister PJ Patterson's chief adviser Delano Franklyn feels it would be fitting if Dennis Brown could be awarded the Grammy posthumously. "All the artistes are of exceptional quality. They have made significant contributions in putting out music of quality which transcends international barriers. When one takes into consideration the contribution Dennis Brown has made, the quality of his songs and the fact that he's no longer with us physically, it would be good if his contribution would be capped by the award of the reggae Grammy," he told Showbiz.
RJR's Richie B said this is a very difficult year. "I have had some success in terms of calling it in the past but I am almost tempted to hold off this year. But I'd narrow it down to a well-deserved posthumous award for Dennis Brown or Beenie Man's time has come."
Opposition spokesperson on culture and music industry executive Olivia 'Babsy' Grange said she feels Beenie Man will win the Grammy this time around. She shares the view with internationally renowned reggae music consultant Cassandra Goins, that Beenie Man will get the nod because of his consistent urban exposure.
"He has been very popular in the urban circles and the track with Mya Girls Dem Sugar has done well. Most of the people who vote don't really know reggae and are more in the urban circles, so Beenie should get the nod," said Ms. Grange.
Ms. Goins added that outside of Beenie Man's popularity, the other albums are not very exciting.
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They make the world so hard
