A decade after their landmark Grammy victory, the members of Morgan Heritage are reflecting on how their 2016 win for Best Reggae Album transformed their musical legacy. The prestigious award for ‘Strictly Roots’ arrived at the 58th Annual Grammy Awards ceremony held at Los Angeles’ Staples Center on February 15, 2016, marking a career-defining moment for the seasoned reggae ensemble.
Roy ‘Gramps’ Morgan recently recounted the unexpected nomination announcement in December 2015. ‘The nomination definitely caught us by surprise,’ he shared with the Jamaica Observer. ‘For many years we simply created music, enjoyed recording albums, and planned tours. It was business as usual—we never anticipated such recognition.’
The emotional climax arrived when the group was announced as winners. Gramps described being ‘overcome with emotion’ and immediately sharing the triumph with family members, particularly his father who had provided their musical foundation. ‘Being nominated for a Grammy represents one of the highest achievements in music,’ he emphasized.
The Grammy recognition fundamentally altered the band’s trajectory. ‘The world reexamined our band after numerous albums,’ Gramps noted. ‘People began taking us seriously despite our extensive collaborations and production work. The Grammy Award-winning designation enhanced our branding, but maintaining our legacy for future generations remains our ongoing mission.’
‘Strictly Roots,’ released March 31, 2015 through CTBC Music Group, featured twelve tracks with notable collaborations including Chronixx, Jo Mersa Marley, Eric Rachmany of Rebelution, and J Boog. The album prevailed over strong contenders including works by Barrington Levy, Luciano, Jah Cure, and Rocky Dawuni.
Gramps characterized the album’s creation as ‘a calm, fun process with a collaborative mentality.’ The recording incorporated musicians from Stephen Marley’s and Shaggy’s bands, alongside UK contributors including members from UB40. Promotion relied heavily on grassroots marketing strategies both domestically and internationally, with Gramps acknowledging the enduring support of Jamaican media throughout their career.
The retrospective emerges as the music community prepares for the 2026 Grammy Awards, scheduled for February 1 at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles. The upcoming Best Reggae Album category features nominees Lila Ike, Keznamdi, Mortimer, Vybz Kartel, and Jesse Royal, continuing the tradition that first brought Morgan Heritage to Grammy prominence.