Etana mentioned on World Music Views Podcast that she is a member of the Grammy Board but is still learning the ins and outs of the system. She takes chances creatively and collaborates with some of the best new and established artists in the world of reggae and African music. Here are 5 reggae albums so far this year that may be contenders for a Grammy nomination: Etana – PamojaĮtana’s African connection album “ Pamoja” is sexy and melodious. Voting members must also be in good standing with their dues.īeing a voting member or an associate of the Recording Academy offers tremendous networking opportunities from parties to conferences and private events.Įven if you do not meet the requirements you may still apply at the recommendation of two eligible members of the Recording Academy.Īll that Grammy politics aside, so far this year there have been several projects that are eligible to be recognized as Best Reggae Album. However, all Grammy voting members must have creative or technical credits on at least six commercially released tracks on a physical music release whether cassette, vinyl or CD or 12 credits on digital releases. The process to become a Grammy voter is not so simple especially for a non-US resident. Whether you win or not, getting nominated is good PR narrative to networking among fellow Grammy-level musicians. In this round, an accounting firm tabulates the votes that leads to the big reveal of the results which remains unknown until the Grammy Awards presentation. Then the record is nominated by voting members in a first-round ballot stage, making up to five selections in each category, then to the final voting round.

The first and most obvious step in the Grammy’s process is the Submission stage then the Screening, where “experts” in various fields receive each Grammy submission to make sure that it is eligible, meets the qualifications, and that it is placed in the proper category. Some Grammy experts also suggest that you name your album, song, or band name with a letter at the beginning of the alphabet. The voting process according to the Grammy’s official website consists of 5 stages and your chances remain higher to win a grammy if you submit in a non-crowded category. An album must also contain at least 50% playing time of new music. Then the final round of voting will commence on Decemand end on January 5, 2022.Īccording to “Voting members are required to vote on four categories in the general field and may vote in 15 other categories based on the individuals’ area of expertise”.

The nominations will be then be announced at a date to be decided by the Recording Academy. The first round of voting commences on Octoand ends on November 5, 2021. The final round of submissions will begin on Augand end on August 31, 2021. The first round of submissions ends on July 29. Over the years the Grammys select albums that simply do not connect to the Jamaican reggae cultural psyche due to a voting process that requires active membership. Whether you make Reggae, Soca, Dancehall or any Island style music it will be classified as Reggae as far as the Grammys are concerned and only one award category is available.Įach year Reggae and Dancehall artists make their projects, some with the hope that they will be nominated and even win the Grammy. The first round for submissions for the 2022 Grammy Awards opened yesterday and while the Recording Academy has discussed making changes to their voting policy, Reggae music, by and large, has been left out of the conversation.

Freemind music