Burning Spear ‘happy’ regardless of Grammy outcome

January 23, 2024
Roots-reggae stalwart Burning Spear.
Roots-reggae stalwart Burning Spear.

Veteran roots-reggae singer and two-time Grammy winner Burning Spear said win or lose, he is 'happy' to be nominated in the Best Reggae Album category of the 66th Grammy Awards, slated for February 4.

"It's a good feeling knowing that you were doing the right thing as an artiste, so people, like these judges [of the Grammy Awards] can listen to your music and [choose] my album to be nominated. It's a good album with a lot of good, strong work put in place to produce it. But it's up to the hands of the people to say who win or who lose. But I'm happy. Regardless if I win or not, I'll be happy and continue doing great music," the 13-time nominee told THE STAR.

The Marcus Garvey singer, who is nominated for his album No Destroyer, said he would be pleased to cop this award for the third time.

"I'm just a mutual artiste going with the flow of nature, what is to be must be. But if I win, all of us are gonna be happy. But I will just leave it in the hands of the universe, it will decide what is to be from what not to be. I am just happy I've been nominated; it's fun. My fans are happy, they like this and whether or not I win, I will always be a winner in what I am doing," he said with a laugh.

Like his previous winning albums, Calling Rastafari in 2000 and Jah is Real in 2009, Burning Spear said No Destroyer was chosen because it is a 'quality' body of work which is destined to stand the test of times.

"People who listen and understand music, they know good music and they know the standard and quality of the music they are looking for to represent this category, and my music stands out. So I leave everything in their hands because they know what they heard in my music and that's why they came to the conclusion. All of us as artistes who are nominated just have to stay strong and keep your ears out for the results, because regardless of who win, we are all good artistes and somebody has to win," the Mek We Dweet artiste shared.

While the veteran plans on "hitting back the studios" this year, he remains booked and is gearing up for his upcoming show in Florida slated for March 2024, following the Grammy event.

Beenie Man's album, Simma, Buju Banton's Born For Greatness, Julian Marley and Antaeus' Colours of Royal and Collie Buddz's Cali Roots Riddim 2023 are the other nominated albums in the Best Reggae Album category for this year.

The 66th Grammy Awards will be held at the Crypto.com Arena in California.

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