Dwayno’s Ma Vida makes 2019 Grammy consideration list

“It’s a great accomplishment… because a lot of singers before and even up to today never get a letter from these people. This is what I was told from the (Grammy) Board, so I am grateful because the greatest aim right now is to be on top of the game with the people who control it. The Grammy is one of the biggest awards you can win or get a nomination,” said the Wellside Lane resident.

Ma Vida, released May 25, is among 141 albums presented in the first round of voting in the Best Reggae Album category, which features works from established icons such as eight-time Grammy Award winner Ziggy Marley, inaugural Grammy winner back in 1986 Black Uhuru and Shaggy.

Dwayno’s album caters to the strong Latin American audience with collaborations featuring Sentimient, Lil Quil, Masta CR, Kim Camacho, Popeye All Style, Valee and Talee. The album is distributed through VP Records.

The single En Mi Vida has been receiving heavy rotations in Latin American. “I have fans all over the world. My main priority is always that my fans can relate to my music,” the Don a Road artiste further stated in a post on his Instagram account.

He added: “My first attempt this time around is to connect my dancehall culture and my dejay style directly with my fans through their own dialect.”

Forever by Popcaan, Reggae Forever by Etana, Romain Virgo’s lover’s rock project Lovesick, have also been put to the Academy for consideration along with compilation of works from several non-Jamaican reggae artistes like Soja, Rebelution and Alborosie. British rock star Sting and reggae group UB40 have also made the cut for consideration.

First round of voting ended October 31, with the list being dramatically reduced to 61. However, the revised list is yet to be made public. Nominees for the final round will be announced December 5. Only a select few are eligible to vote online.

Former winners in the Best Reggae Album category have included Burning Spear, Sean Paul, Stephen Marley, Ziggy Marley, Jimmy Cliff, Steel Pulse, Peter Tosh, Sly and Robbie, Toots and the Maytals, Buju Banton and Damian "Junior Gong" Marley.

The 61st annual Grammy Awards will be held on February 10.