By Kevin Jackson–
Observer writer–

Chelsea Stewart —

Multiple past winners Blessed, Exco Levi and Dubmatix are nominated for Reggae Recording of The Year at this year’s Juno Awards, Canada’s equivalent of the Grammy Awards.

Newcomer Chelsea Stewart and Kafinal complete the nominees for the reggae category, which was instituted in 1985. Nominations were announced yesterday at the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation in Toronto.

Blessed

The nominations are: Money Don’t Grow Pon Trees (Blessed); Genesis (Chelsea Stewart); Overdubbed: Sly & Robbie Meet Dubmatix (Dubmatix); Narrative (Exco Levi); and Talk or No Talk (Kafinal featuring Queen Ifrica).

This is Kafinal’s second nomination. He won in 2016 for Nah Complain which featured U Roy.

It feels good to be back and I am extremely happy and grateful for the support that the song has been getting. Thanks to Queen Ifrica for being a part of this project,” Kafinal told the Jamaica Observer shortly after the announcement.

Talk or No Talk has climbed the Rebel Vibez Canadian Reggae Chart in recent weeks. It is also No.5 The Foundation Radio Network Chart (NY) and No.7 on The South Florida Chart. It is produced by Sing N Act Entertainment.

Exco Levi

“I am feeling great about the nomination. The world is a big place, with over 36 million people living in Canada and I am just capitalizing on that market and the rest of the world. We appreciate Jamaica as the hub for reggae music and will forever show gratitude,” said the Manchester-born singjay, whose real name is Wayne Ford Levy.

The 13-track Narrative, released in November 2017, is Exco Levi’s second album. Sizzla is featured on the song, Bun.

This is Exco Levi’s seventh nomination. He won the category from 2012 to 2015 and again in 2017.

Dubmatic

Dubmatix, whose given name is Jesse E King, is a Canadian artiste/producer from Toronto. This is also his seventh nomination; he won in 2010 for Gonna Be Alright. Overdubbed: Sly & Robbie Meets Dubmatix was released in January 2018 by Echo Beach Records.

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