‘Jamaica inspired us all’: American band SOJA wins Best Reggae Album at Grammy Awards
/ Our Today
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American band SOJA has taken home the Best Reggae Album Grammy at the 64th Grammy Awards in Las Vegas, Nevada this afternoon (April 3).
The win, for the album Beauty in the Silence, is likely to upset many Jamaicans after the band beat out Jamaican acts Spice, Sean Paul, Jesse Royal, Gramps Morgan and Etana, for the award.
Spice, the first female dancehall act to be nominated for the Reggae Grammy, had been particularly noticed for her nomination, building significant anticipation for her making history with a win.
“To the founding fathers of reggae music, and to the island of Jamaica, you inspired us all. One love. Give thanks.”
SOJA
At the same time, veteran DJ Sean Paul had appeared to be a frontrunner for the win, given his pedigree in the industry and significant crossover appeal.
In accepting the Grammy, SOJA band member Jacob Hemphill said: “Starting a reggae band was kind of our dream and all we wanted to do. And then one day people started coming to our shows and we don’t know what happened.
Another band member chimed in: “To the founding fathers of reggae music, and to the island of Jamaica, you inspired us all. One love. Give thanks.”
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