Blvk H3ro’s ‘On A Mission’ Overlooked For Reggae Grammy, Says Junior Rodigan
Boston-based radio broadcaster and music selector Junior Rodigan says Grammy voters have erred by not selecting Blvk H3ro’s On A Mission to be among the five contenders for the Best Reggae Album.
“Last year, the best Reggae album not only got nominated, it actually WON the #Reggae Grammy. But just when you thought the Grammy people dem finally got their act together they proved otherwise. BEST REGGAE ALBUM didn’t even get nominated this year Listen for yourself,” Rodigan told his followers on Twitter, referencing On A Mission.
On Friday, the Recording Academy revealed that Buju Banton’s Born for Greatness, Beenie Man’s Simma, Collie Buddz’s Cali Roots Riddim 2023, Burning Spear’s No Destroyer, and Julian Marley & Antaeus’ Colors of Royal are the albums nominated in the Best Reggae Album category at the upcoming 66th Annual Grammy Awards.
Continuing on Instagram, Rodigan said the Recording Academy has had a reputation over at least the past 25 years for failing to nominate Reggae’s best bodies of work for the award.
“If you know the history of #Reggae #Dancehall & #Jamaican music in general, you know the #Reggae #Grammy doesn’t necessarily honor the proper works when it comes to which 5 albums are nominated. In fact, some of the greatest albums of the last 1/4 century haven’t even been nominated. While this year’s list of nominees DOES most certainly include some very deserving nominees….. once again, they have failed to nominate THE BEST ALBUM OF THE YEAR,” Rodigan stated.
“I have heard most of the albums released this year. Some of the legendary icons have released very quality works … but … no album has been as solid, as versatile and as representative of the current evolution in the music AND its glorious past than this superb work by the young rising star Black Hero,” he added.
In hailing the Waterford, St Catherine native, Rodigan urged his followers to listen to Blvk H3ro’s album, which he said deserved not only to be nominated, but also to win the coveted prize.
“He is a very versatile talent. He can give you a chune in any style.
But he is a foundation roots artist thru and thru. Just take a listen to what SHOULD have been this year’s #ReggaeGrammy winner
#OnAMission by #blvkhero,” he said.
Added Rodigan: “There are 2 things I will guarantee anyone:1. You will be glad you discovered this album & artist. 2. He WILL win a Grammy one day.”
Blvk H3ro’s 15-track studio album, came a year after he was nominated in the Best Global Music Performance category for the Never Bow Down collab with Rocky Duwani. It featured collaborations with several of his Reggae and Dancehall compatriots, namely Rich and Blessed featuring Teejay; Crazy World with Skillibeng; Jane with Anthony B, Annabella with Dre Island.
At the time of its release in August, the artist had said that the album was “obsessively refined” and was worked on from 2020 to 2023, with relatively limited resources.
Blvk H3ro had told DancehallMag that the nomination was a huge shock to him. It had put him in contention with Nigerian singer Burna Boy for his hit song Last Last; the previous year’s winner Arooj Aftab and Anoushka Shankar for Udhero Na; Matt B and Eddy Kenzo for Gimme Love; and Wouter Kellerman, Zakes Bantwini and Nomcebo Zikode for Bayethe.
The artist, who grew up singing in the church, released his first album, the 14-track The Immortal Steppa, in February 2019.
He partnered with Wayne J in October 2020 for New Millennium, a seven-track Reggae/Dancehall EP, which also featured a track with Skillibeng.
Since he started out in the music industry six years ago, he has collaborated with other veterans such as Bunny Wailer and UB40.