KINGSTON, Jamaica—The Grammy Awards’ best reggae album category has long been a topic of heated debate on social media, with fans and artists alike voicing their opinions on nominations and winners. Recording artist Principle has now joined the conversation, advocating for the inclusion of additional categories that specifically highlight Jamaican music.
In an interview with Observer Online, Principle emphasized the need for fairness and recognition in the nomination process. ‘There’s always controversy about who should win or shouldn’t have won. I hope that one day, principle will prevail, and the most deserving projects will be acknowledged,’ he stated.
Principle also proposed expanding the reggae music categories to include awards such as ‘Best New Reggae Artiste’ and a separate ‘Best Dancehall Album’ category. ‘Some people have been calling for a distinction between dancehall and reggae. It’s time to recognize the diversity within our music,’ he added.
The artist, whose real name is Germaine Bernard, recently released his latest single, ‘Jamaica Nice,’ on October 13. Produced by Bertram Burgher of King Shiloh Sound and written by Nicholas Sylvester, the song aims to showcase Jamaica’s cultural richness to the world. ‘We’re working hard to promote this track, and a music video is currently in production,’ Principle shared.
Earlier this year, Principle gained significant attention with his song ‘Visa,’ which he considers his breakthrough. ‘That song opened many doors for me, including media interviews and performance opportunities,’ he reflected. Originally known as Chucky Wonder, Principle hails from Constitution Hill in Red Hills and continues to make strides in the reggae and dancehall scenes.