This year’s nominees — announced yesterday by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences (NARAS) – are The Cure by Jah Cure, Acousticalevy (Barrington Levy), Zion Awake (Luciano), Strictly Roots (Morgan Heritage), and Branches of The Same Tree by Ghanaian singer Rocky Dawuni.
Since the NARAS introduced the Best Reggae Album category (formerly known as Best Reggae Recording) in 1985, a Marley has been nominated on 17 occasions.
They have won the category multiple times.
The Cure, released by VP Records in July, is the first nomination for Jah Cure. The album, which topped the Billboard Reggae Album Chart on its release, has to date sold over 10,047 copies.
Acousticalevy is also Levy’s first nomination. The acoustic collection of his biggest hits was released by Doctor Dread Presents, an independent owned by Gary ‘Dr Dread’ Himelfarb of RAS Records fame.
Zion Awake is the second Grammy nomination for Luciano. The album was released by VPAL Music and has to date sold over 1,054 copies. Luciano’s previous Grammy nomination was in 2002 for A New Day.
Morgan Heritage released Strictly Roots through their CTBC Music Group. It also topped the Billboard Reggae Album Chart upon its release in April.
Strictly Roots is the first Grammy nomination for the sibling group. The album has sold over 4,621 copies to date.
Branches of the Same Tree is California-based Rocky Dawuni’s first Grammy nod. The album was released on the Cumbancha label.
There are nominations for songs and albums with Jamaican connections.
British rock band Florence + The Machine earned nominations in the Best Rock Performance and Best Rock Song categories (for What Kind of Man) and Best Pop Duo/Group Performance category for Ship Wreck. Both tracks are featured on the group’s How Big, How Blue, How Beautiful album, which was recorded in Jamaica at Geejam Studio in Portland.
American rapper Kendrick Lamar’s chart-topping album To Pimp a Butterfly earned nominations for Album of The Year and Best Rap Album. It is co-produced by Jamaican Matthew ‘Boi 1Da’ Samuels.
The album contains The Blacker The Berry, featuring Assassin, which was certified gold. Another track on the album, Wesley’s Theory, samples Boris Gardiner’s Every Nigger Is A Star.
British folk/soul singer Lianne La Havas, whose mother is Jamaican, earned a nomination in the Best Urban Contemporary Album category for Blood. Released by Warner Bros, it is co-produced by Stephen McGregor.
Jamaican-born, Toronto-based producer Nineteen85’s (real name Anthony Paul) Truffle Butter earned a nomination for Best Rap Performance. The song is performed by Nicki Minaj featuring Drake and Lil Wayne.
British producer/DJ Jamie XX got nominated for his album In Colour in the category Best Dance/Electronic Album. It features There’s Gonna Be Good Times by rapper Young Thug and Popcaan.
The 58th Grammy Awards takes place on February 15 at Staples Centre in Los Angeles.