For years now, the winners of the reggae Grammy have surprised no one. So much so that after the 52nd edition of the famous ceremony, the website Caribbean Life is wondering whether the Reggae category might be scrapped.
The cause: the lack of real competition and the Marley family's stranglehold on the awards, piling up the trophies. And once again this year, with Stephen Marley's win, in a category where his brother Julian Marley was also nominated. “It is not as competitive as we would like these Awards to be,” said Bill Freimuth, Vice President of the Grammys.
Grammy Awards without reggae are entirely possible. After all, it happened to the Polish polka last year, scrapped after a certain Jimmy Sturr scooped the prize 18 times in 24 years…
The Marleys as the international representatives of the genre: that is what the Grammy voters imagine. The precious surname is worth the best albums. This year, where were Tarrus Riley and Alborosie? Why has Richie Spice never had the honour of a nomination in previous years? Why always Shaggy and Sean Paul as representatives of a dancehall that is nevertheless dominated by the Vybz Kartel / Mavado pair? Do the Grammys even know their compatriots in Groundation?
The problem remains unresolved for the next edition. Damian Marley will surely feature, and it is hard to see his next album, "Distant Relatives" with Nas, failing to catch the voters' attention. And that could hasten the decision?