(CMR) Several supporters of dancehall artist Spice have labeled the Grammys as racist after an all-white band won the Grammy award for “Best Reggae Album” Sunday.
Virginia-based Reggae band Soldier of Jah Army, known as SOJA, took home the 2022 Grammy award for “Best Reggae Album” for their seventh studio album, Beauty in the Silence.
Despite not winning the award, Jamaican artist Spice (39) said she was grateful to have been nominated for the best reggae album in the 2022 Grammys.
Spice, whose real name is Grace Hamilton, is the first female hard-core dancehall artist to be nominated for a Grammy in the best reggae album category.
“The Grammys gave Best Reggae Album to a bunch of white men with dreads instead of Spice, I hope y'all see the problem,” one social media user said.
Another accused the Grammys of “whitewashing” reggae.
SOJA, however, believe they won the award based on their work.
“We're representing American reggae. We got it. Shout out to the pioneers, Jamaican artists, and everybody that came before us. British artists, and African artists. America is one of the last in the game with this whole Reggae thing,” they said.
Spice posted on Instagram amidst her fans' expressions of disappointment that the all-white Reggae band won the award.
“Besties, don't cry we've come a long way. Remember, I came from Homeless to this day, so I'm really still very humbled and grateful. I see all your support and disappointments, but you know we never give up, we back at it again tomorrow,” Spice said.
The other nominees were Pamoja by Etana, Live N Livin by Sean Paul, Royal by Jesse Royal, and Positive Vibrations by Gramps Morgan.
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