Page 66 - Reggae Festival Guide Magazine 2019

Overstanding Reggae
Overstanding Reggae

and the Grammys
and the Grammys

An Interview with

Cristy Barber

By Joana leRoque

ince 1985, there has been just one

category at the Grammys for the

reggae genre – Best Reggae Album.
S Black Uhuru won that very first reggae

Grammy with the Anthem album. The Grammy

for Best Reggae Album in 2019 went to Sting and

Shaggy for their collaborative album 44/876.
Cristy Barber has been involved with the Recording Academy for
While other popular genres – pop, rock, country, years and started her “Voter Awareness Campaign” back in 2003.

etc. – have multiple award categories, how is it Q: Cristy, why don’t they televise the Reggae
that reggae has just the one? What can be done Grammy Award during the main broadcast?

to secure and further reggae’s place in such A: There are nearly 100 awards given out and

award ceremonies?
only 9-12 are on air; those are the big ones like

As a community, it would be so beneficial to “Record of The Year” and “Song of The Year.”

have more overstanding of the processes and But…the pre-show is amazing, and everyone

reggae representation in the Grammy sphere. can watch online and stream it. It’s a great event

We had many questions regarding what the to watch, the link is accessible the day that the

steps would be to getting more artists and Grammys air on Grammy.com, so on January 26,
their music submitted and nominated, so 2020, log on!

Reggae Festival Guide reasoned with industry This year, Shaggy was the host of the pre-show

veteran, Grammy-nominated producer Cristy and it was a really good look for our genre. There

Barber. Her experience includes working for are a lot of other genres trying to get that look

seven record labels and serving on the Reggae and we [reggae] got it this year, so we’re making
Grammy Screening Committee for 12 years, plus strides.

producing many albums and festivals. She has

been passionate about this very topic for many Q: When can reggae artists submit their

years and generously shared information with albums for Grammy consideration?

us about reggae’s current relationship with the A: The date has been moved up by a month
Grammys, and we share it with you… compared to prior years. If you want to be

66 Reggae Festival guide 2019