Page 74 - Reggae Festival Guide Magazine 2019

I can’t express it enough; I’ve been obsessed with

the Recording Academy since I was 10 years old!

In doing research and speaking with Cristy,

we at the Reggae Festival Guide, have come to

understand the problem is that the people
who truly represent reggae are not represented

in meaningful numbers, meaning that they

do not vote or maintain their membership

qualifications, like paying yearly dues. Instead,
some of the people who make submissions and

vote in the reggae category may not be entirely

aware of what’s going on in the reggae industry.

Historically, they have tended towards voting
based more on name recognition or their own

favorites.

The solution: educate artists and music

professionals in the reggae industry about how

to impact the process, and encourage them
to become voting members of the Recording

Academy and keep submitting reggae albums.

This is exactly what Cristy Barber has advocated

through her “Voter Awareness Campaign,” and
we enthusiastically support her!

If you are an artist or music professional in the

reggae music industry, go APPLY to become

a voting member of the Recording Academy!

Perhaps we can increase the diversity of reggae
nominees/ winners and heighten the global

awareness and visibility of our beloved authentic

reggae music. It’s just one way to impact change

and keep reggae moving forward!

Joana LeRoque has been listening to reggae most
of her life, and firmly believes it is a healing for

the world. She fuljoys being part of the Reggae

Festival Guide team. She joyously supports artists
and festivals as a publicist, social media manager,

consultant and all-around advocate for spreading

the good messages in reggae music worldwide.

74 Reggae Festival guide 2019