Dancehall star Popcaan‘s fifth studio Album, ‘Great Is He,’ was not submitted for any category in the 66th Annual Grammy Awards. This year, 65 albums were submitted for Best Reggae Album, but Popcaan’s third OVO project was not one of them, although the album was released during the eligibility period between October 1, 2022, and September 15, 2023.

When WMV contacted Popcaan’s management team about the album’s absence from the list of submissions for the only Reggae category, no clear reason was given “The label usually handles it.”

All rounds of submission for the 2024 Grammy Awards closed at the end of August, with albums, singles, artists and other projects having until September 15, 2023, to release in order to be eligible.

‘Great Is He’ was released by Drake’s OVO Sound and Warner Records on January 27, 2023, and features Burna Boy, Drake, Chronic Law, and Toni-Ann Singh. Producers on the album include Anju Blaxx, Dre Skull, Tresor, Batundi, TJ Records, Dan Sky, Atto Wallace, Steven Francisco, Kid Culture, Demario Duncan, Dane Ray, The Fanatix, Savchenko Anton, Mojam, and Wez.

In 2022, for the 64th Annual Grammy Awards, Popcaan’s label requested to withdraw Drake’s nominations in a letter to the Recording Academy. The reason behind the move remains unclear, but he was nominated for Best Rap Album (“Certified Lover Boy”) and Best Rap Performance (“Way 2 Sexy” featuring Future and Young Thug). Instead of adding additional nominees in response to his withdrawal, the Grammy voting for the two rap categories continued with just four nominees.

Drake has had a history of tension with the Grammys, including his call for a replacement of the awards and his refusal to submit his album dancehall heavy album “More Life” for the 2018 Grammy awards. He has also criticized the awards show during his acceptance speeches in the past. Popcaan has never been nominated for a Grammy award.

Despite these controversies, the Recording Academy has been making efforts to reform its procedures and address past criticisms, such as eliminating secret nomination-review committees and expanding the number of nominees in certain categories and adding three new categories this year, including an African Performance Category.

The Grammy for Best Reggae Album is presented at a pre-show award ceremony carried last year for the first time on YouTube for a body of work deemed worthy (consisting of 75% reggae) as elected by registered voters, and it could be a ska, reggae, or dancehall album.

Among the list of dancehall albums submitted in the ‘Best Reggae Album’ Category this year are Valiant’s debut Mixtape 4:14, Pablo YG’s Bad Juve Mixtape, Beenie Man’s Simma, Charly Black’s No Excuses, Dancehall Gift by I-Octane, No Love by Byron Messia, Rifle Riddim, which is a compilation of 9 songs featuring Dexta Daps (Missing Piece), Shane O (Click Click), Chronic Law (Gun Estate), Govana (Regular Day), Jah Vinci (Beast), RajahWild, (Inna Mi Cup), Juggla (Irate), Kiprich (One), and IWaata (Trigger Play).

Other compilations submitted include the Jamaican Festival Song 2023 Competition album. The album features the winning song “I am a Jamaican” by Slashe.

Several reggae artists submitted their albums in the Best Global Album category, including Morgan Heritage with Homeland, Shaggy’s In The Mood and Stephen Marley’s Old Soul.

Old Soul was not available on streaming platforms until September 29, but the official release date has since been changed on Spotify and other streaming platforms to meet the Grammy deadline of September 15. Stephen’s brother Julian Marley’s “Colors Of Royal” was submitted in the Best Reggae Album category.

Reggae albums submitted to the competition for voter consideration this year include “No Destroyer” by reggae legend Burning Spear, “Shakespeare & Bassman” by multiple Grammy winners Sly and Robbie, “Mad World” by Gentleman, “Destiny” by Alborosie, “I Give You Love” by Mykal Rose, “22” by Yaksta, “Black Man Time” by Ritchie Spice, “Golden” by Marcia Griffiths, “Celebration” by Common Kings, and Buju Banton’s “Born For Greatness,” “On A Mission” by Bvk H3ro,

Morgan Heritage is seeking to increase their chances at a Grammy by submitting 5 singles off their album “Homeland” in the Best Global Music Performance Category  including “Positive” featuring Shaggy & Beenie Man, “Ready” featuring Shatta Wale, Jose Chameleone & RJ The DJ, “U Got To (See The World)” featuring S’villa & Eddy Kenzo, and “The Homeland” featuring Youssou N’dour. They also have another submission as featured artist on “Long To Be Home” by Edrisah Kenzo Musuuza.

The first round of voting for the Best Reggae album is now underway until October 20 at 6:00 pm PT. The top five albums selected will be announced at the Nominations ceremony on November 10.

SEE FULL LIST OF BEST REGGAE ALBUMS SUBMITTED FOR CONSIDERATION BELOW:

Category 64 – Best Reggae Album

1. Right Right Time – Johnny Osbourne
2. Bad Juvi Mixtape – Pablo YG
3. Ah Mi Yard – Perfect Giddimani
4. Destiny – Lee “Scratch” Perry & Bob Riddim
5. I Give You Love – Mykal Rose
6. Windrush Baby – Aleighcia Scott & Rorystonelove
7. Root – Shavarr
8. Rude Gyalaxy – Shevvy
9. Shakespeare – The Bassman Sly, Robbie & The Team Taxi
10. Black Man Time – Richie Spice
11. Spirits Eat Music – Sundub
12. Power – Chris Thomas The Ceo
13. Clarks A Clarks – Jah Thomas
14. 4:14 – Valiant
15. Jamaica Festival Song 2023 Competition – Various Artists
16. Legends Of Jamaica, Vol 1: A Tribute To Ska – Various Artists
17. 1 Rifle Riddim – Various Artists
18. Tropical House Cruise To Jamaica (The Asian Edition) – Various Artists
19. We Remember Bob Andy – Various Artists
20. Pacific Coast Reggae – Clint Warren
21. 22 – Yaksta
22. Golden Spoon – Maroon Yasus Afari
23. Glory – Akae Beka
24. Destiny – Alborosie
25. Pop Punk Goes Reggae Vol. 1 – Nathan Aurora
26. Bread & Butter – Anthony B
27. Shellshock – Ballyhoo!
28. Born For Greatness – Buju Banton
29. Undercover – Bead N Bone
30. Simma – Beenie Man
31. No Excuses – Charly Black
32. On A Mission – Blvk H3ro
33. Firm And Strong – Brotha George
34. Cali Roots Riddim 2023 – Collie Buddz
35. Time & Color – Bulby York
36. No Destroyer – Burning Spear
37. Vers(E) – David Cairol
38. Celebration – Common Kings
39. Happy Hour In Dub – Hollie Cook
40. Long Way Home – DMP
41. Rocksteady – Corbin Dooley
42. Dandy Shandy – Earthkry
43. Ziggy Stardub – Easy Star All-Stars
44. Pleasure Point – The Expendables
45. Ready For Battle – Marcus Gad
46. Mad World – Gentleman
47. Love In Time – Giant Panda Guerilla Dub Squad
48. Riddim Full Of Culture – Green Lion Crew
49. Golden – Marcia Griffiths
50. Dreaming From An Iron Gate – Groundation & Brain Damage
51. Boots Rock Reggae, Vol. 1 – Cas Haley
52. Charka – Hempress Sativa
53. 444 – Honorebel
54. Dancehall Gift – I-Octane
55. Undeniable – Jah Cure
56. Pleasant Place – Jahmali
57. Vintage Reggae – Jonfx
58. Kingston To Cali – Aza Lineage
59. Echo Mountain High – Long Beach Dub Allstars
60. Colors Of Royal – Julian Marley & Antaeus
61. Twelve – Mc Norman
62. No Love – Byron Messia
63. Havana Meets Kingston In Dub – Mista Savona & Gaudi
64. New Born – Norrac
65. Jah Love Surround Me – Zamunda

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