Raging Fyah Featured on Grammy Amplifier Frontpage!

Hyundai and The Recording Academy^® announce the launch of the third annual GRAMMY Amplifier^® - an innovative, online music initiative aimed at mentoring emerging artists and providing them the opportunity to elevate their careers by showcasing their talent.  As of January 28^th, featured on the front page of the Grammy Amplifier page is Jamaica’s own Raging Fyah!  

Raging Fyah Featured on Grammy Amplifier

Three-time GRAMMY^® and Brit winner Mark Ronson will serve as the 2015 GRAMMY Amplifier Ambassador alongside this year's program curators – current 57^th GRAMMY nominees The Band Perry and Ziggy Marley, and singer/songwriter Allen Stone. The ambassador and curators will vet talent via online submissions and select the program's three winners who will individually be awarded one of the following prizes: (1) a studio recording session with a GRAMMY winning producer; (2) filming and starring in their own music video with a noted director; or (3) securing an opening spot for a noted musician and/or at a music festival.

"We couldn't be more excited to continue our dedication not only to the GRAMMYs but to the celebration and support of making music," said David Matathia, Director, Marketing & Communications, Hyundai Motor America.  "The Amplifier program and our partnership with the GRAMMYs allow Hyundai to celebrate innovation and creativity through a truly unique and inspiring platform."

Artists can begin entering submissions on January 27^th at GRAMMYAmplifier.com.  Based on their track plays and social media "amplifications," the top 25 finalists will be brought together for a GRAMMY Amplifier mentorship experience.  The top 25 will then be whittled down by program curators to a short list of finalists, at which point the program ambassador will select the final three winners and align each of them with one of three top prizes.

The new GRAMMY Amplifier website will go live January 26^th and will feature the debut of the mentoring session video series.  The episodes document the year-long learning experiences of the 2014 winners and include footage from a studio session with Ronson, the experience of performing on the road as opening act for Allen Stone, and conceptualizing and filming a music video under the guidance of industry professionals.

The 2015 GRAMMY Amplifier program marks the start of a newly inked three-year renewal between Hyundai and The Recording Academy, again naming Hyundai the official vehicle partner of The GRAMMY Awards. In addition to a new Hyundai commercial scheduled to debut during the 57^th GRAMMY Awards television broadcast, Hyundai vehicles will be featured on the GRAMMY red carpet, GRAMMY Celebration^® after-party, in addition to a Hyundai fleet of vehicles chauffeuring talent throughout the week. 

Details About the 2015 Grammy Nominees for Reggae Album of the Year!

Reggae and Dancehall are the two most enjoyed genres in the world, and today, the Grammy committee has announced the Nominees for Best Reggae Recording, 2015.

The nominees are:

Ziggy Marley – Fly Rasta

Lee ‘Scratch’ Perry – Back At the Controls

Sean Paul – Full Frequency

Shaggy – Out of Many One Music

Sly & Robbie and Spicy Chocolate – The Reggae Power

SOJA – Amid The Noise and the Haste

Ziggy Marley still uses the standard set by his Father, Bob Marley, when it comes to producing good music, Lee ‘Scratch’ Perry is not afraid to be himself which comes through in the unique music he makes.  Sean Paul understands the power of a single frequency, not to mention what happens to the masses when they get full frequency (he chose the right title for his album).

Shaggy single handedly brought nations of people together, and the true intentions of his heart were revealed when this album was made.  Not only is he the hardest working man in our business, he is one of the hardest working in music and entertainment, and always creates opportunities for others.  Tessanne is just ONE of many.

Sly & Robbie never cease to amaze with their work ethic and work habits.  They operate as if they have nothing and the project they are working on (currently) means everything to them.  In other words, despite the many Grammy’s they’ve won in the past, despite the amount of world tours they’ve been on, they act as if all of it is happening again, but for the first time.  This is so humbling.

SOJA are the newest kids on the Reggae block!  They are well known on the West Coast of the US, but they are from Arlington, VA, just across the Potomac River.   The amount of their fans is equivalent to the amount of grains of sand found on a beach in Montego Bay … they have a lot!

Good luck to all the nominees!

P.S.  Want to get involved in the Grammy process?!  You can become a voting member; details HERE!

Grammy Watch! Throwback Thursday – Jimmy Cliff – The Harder They Come!

Jimmy Cliff is a global beacon; an example of humility fueled by determination, and role model who set his mark on a goal, and didn’t stop until he achieved it.  To Jimmy Cliff we owe the highest musical honor.

At the age of 14 he knew that he wanted to write songs and sing.  He convinced Leslie Kong to go into the recording business, and Kong’s first venture was with Cliff as a young artist.  The first two releases were not a success, but, the third was being “King of Kings!”  

Giving us subsequent hit records was great, but not the focus of Cliff.  Instead he was focused on writing great songs; songs with meaning, songs with impact and songs that would make a difference.  He achieved that goal and hasn’t stopped achieving! 

Former Prime Minister Edward Seaga recently released Reggae Golden Jubilee – Origins of Jamaican Music – 50^th Anniversary which is a comprehensive, 4-Disc set that spans 50 years of Reggae music.  The set (released on the VP Records label) is comprised of 100 songs, and includes the music of one artist who helped write the history of Jamaica through music – Mr. Jimmy Cliff! 

Last night The Grammy’s released the 5 nominees for Best Reggae Album 2013, and the first name announced was Jimmy Cliff for his album Rebirth!  Currently on tour with the Dave Matthews Band (and will be performing at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto tomorrow – December 7^th, 2012), news of his nomination had the Reggae icon beaming with pride.

 

P.S.  Mr. Cliff is on Twitter >>> @THEJIMMYCLIFF

Or visit:  www.jimmycliff.com

 

 

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xGE4dnrPPZQ