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Grammy award winners Julian Marley and Alexx Antaeus have fiercely pushed back at suggestions that the 'Marley' name guarantees recognition from the Recording Academy.

In an exclusive interview with THE WEEKEND STAR on Thursday, Julian made it clear that he was tired of the argument, which he said has no foundation in fact. He said his dedication and drive are key ingredients to his success and not because he's the son of reggae legend, Bob Marley.

"Stop saying that, with blessings, humbly," an annoyed Julian said as he fired back in response to critics for saying 'a Marley always wins the Grammy'.

"I think people just think some kinda way [because], I wasn't doing much more than putting out the music, and a do wah Jah seh fi do, really, suh I don't really watch dat. Mi do di music and then the people dem and peers decide on it suh mi nuh know bout [Marley always a win]. Mi just know seh whenever a Marley win dem always a seh dat," Julian said.

Earlier this month, Julian joined his brothers Stephen, Ziggy and Damion as Grammy winners. His project, Colors of Royal, a collaboration with Alexx Antaeus, got the nod from the Recording Academy. It triumphed over Born For Greatness (Buju Banton); Simma (Beenie Man); Cali Roots Riddim 2023 (Collie Buddz); and No Destroyer (Burning Spear).

Julian said that "sometimes [being a Marley] might give you the opposite [reaction], like people will seh, 'No, I don't want to support something that's already great'."

His fellow Grammy awardee, Antaeus, described Julian as a "hard worker" who deserves the rewards he has been getting for his music.

"A Marley last name is no guarantee for success, even though it's a powerful name," Antaeus said. "So unless you have great music and you work hard to get the music to the people, that's why you succeed - not because of a Marley name but because of the great work that Julian had put together along with great marketing," Antaeus said.

The Earth, Wind and Fire producer noted Julian was nominated for the Grammy in 2020 but he didn't win.

"It was a 19-year old, Koffee, who won. A brand new talent who people recognised and they liked her album; so if a 'Marley always win', why didn't [Julian] win back then?" he questioned.

Julian's first Grammy nomination was for his album, Awake, in 2010. That year his brother, Stephen, won with Mind Control - Acoustic.

This year, when Colors of Royal was announced as winner in the Best Reggae Album at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, Julian was on a tour in New Zealand. He described the news of his Grammy win as a "good morning surprise" which game him a "great feeling". Antaeus, who collected the award, said he loved the moment but wished Julian was there.

"We worked very hard for this, but I was a bit disappointed because Julian wasn't there and I really wanted him to be because it's his award more than anyone else's - he worked so hard and this is like the highest honour in music," Antaeus said.