CANADA’S JUNO Awards take place April 1 at the Scotiabank Place in Ottawa and Torontobased singer Steele says his nomination in the Reggae Recording of the Year is payback for the hard work he has put in.

“It is a positive thing and I’m looking as this as just another step towards gaining the mainstream attention that reggae truly deserves in Canada,” the artiste, christened Mark Steele, told Splash.

Steele earned the nomination for his song Woman, which is dedicated to his wife. It was produced by bass player Othneil Campbell more commonly known as Taddy P.

This is his second JUNO nomination as his 2004 debut album Uncorrupted was also nominated for Reggae Recording of the Year.

In 2007, he dropped his sophomore album, The Love of Jah, which earned several accolades including Male Vocalist of the Year, Songwriter of the Year, CD/Album of the Year and Artiste of the Year by the Reggae Music Achievement Awards (RMAA).

He also received two awards at the RMAA for his 2009 album, The Man The Music.

Steele is best known locally for his cover of Stevie Wonder’s Ribbon In the Sky, Jah Is My Strength and Silhouette.

He said he is currently working on his latest album with Fam Records and Paul ‘Computer Paul’ Henton’s Boot camp label. It is expected to be released late this year.