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Reggae heavyweight Gramps Morgan of Morgan Heritage sat down with World Music Views for a wide-ranging conversation touching on the Grammy season, the state of reggae and dancehall, a powerful new reparations-themed single, and an upcoming historic tour alongside dancehall legend Beanie Man.
On the Grammy Season: “It Was Beautiful”
Gramps described this year’s Grammy cycle as refreshing and musically rich.
“It was beautiful. The nominees were nice and fresh. Not just because they’re new names, but when you listen to the albums, you hear live music, strong production, good lyrics, good morals. These albums represented Jamaican music on an international scale.”
He emphasized that the Grammys are not a popularity contest but a peer-voted recognition of craftsmanship.
“People who listened heard the difference in the production and songwriting. That’s what stood out this year.”
With his work on over 15 Grammy nominated projects across his career — including 1 win and 2 nominations of his own for Best Reggae Album, Gramps has experienced the awards process from multiple angles.
Reggae Today: Talent Is High, Structure Needs Work
Gramps believes reggae is creatively strong but says the industry’s structure is holding artists back.
Jamaican artists release a heavy volume of singles, but the Grammy category recognizes albums.
“We don’t have a Best Reggae Single category. Artists drop song after song, but those songs need to be compiled into albums for Grammy consideration.”
He pointed out that other genres submit hundreds of albums, while reggae sometimes submits fewer than 100 — which affects how the genre is viewed globally.
Dancehall’s Place: A Category Rethink
Gramps supports a rethink for dancehall recognition.
“Dancehall artists don’t always release albums. A ‘Best Dancehall Solo Performance’ category would make more sense.”
He believes this would better reflect streaming numbers and the singles-driven nature of dancehall without alienating artists.
New Single: Reparations Message for Black History Month
Gramps is releasing a new single centered on reparations — co-written with Gaston Browne, Prime Minister of Antigua & Barbuda, who is exploring music under the brand “Gassy Dread.”
The song revisits the long-standing conversation about reparations related to the transatlantic slave trade.
“This conversation has been had by greats like Burning Spear, Bob Marley, and others. But it’s not a consistent conversation. During Black History Month, let’s revisit it — not to attack, but to heal.”
“King and the Royals” Tour with Beanie Man
Gramps also announced a major tour billed as “King and the Royals,” pairing Morgan Heritage’s legacy with Beanie Man’s dancehall dominance.
He praised Beanie Man’s unmatched work ethic:
“His performance level is 100,000 percent every time.”
The title reflects Beanie Man’s long-standing “King of the Dancehall” identity and Morgan Heritage’s reputation as reggae’s “Royal Family.”
For Gramps Morgan, reggae remains a voice for the voiceless, but artists must evolve with the industry structure to secure global recognition.
“Reggae was born from the suffering man needing a voice. That responsibility is still there.”
English (US) ·