The usual suspects

By: Howard Campbell/Jamaica Observer

This is the 10th in a series reflecting on the highlights of the entertainment scene in 2014.

“AND the nominations for Best Reggae Album at the 57th Grammy Awards are…’The usual suspects”.

Past winners Ziggy Marley (Fly Rasta), Lee ‘Scratch’ Perry, (Back on The Controls), Sean Paul (Full Frequency), Sly and Robbie (The Reggae Power) and Shaggy (Out of Many, One Music) are five of the six nominees.

SOJA, a journeyman band from Virginia, are also nominated for Amid the Noise and Haste.

Marley is going for his third solo Grammy win. He won three Best Reggae Grammys with the Melody Makers which included his brother Stephen and sisters Sharon and Cedella.

Typical of most nominees since reggae gained Grammy status in 1984, most of the current crop are not known to Jamaicans. None has passed 30,000 in sales.

With many contemporary Jamaican artistes opting for EPs or mixtapes, most of the reggae albums released in the last three years are by veteran acts such as Sean Paul, American bands like SOJA or compilations, which are still consistent sellers for independent companies.

The Grammy Awards take place February 8, at Staples Center in Los Angeles.