Rohan “Blue” Smith, Beenie Man’s brother and executive producer for the album Simma, said it was a strategic move to revamp the album and give it an international feel. This has paid off big time, as Simma is among four other albums that have been nominated in the Best Reggae Album category of the 66th annual Grammy Awards.

The nominations were announced on Friday.

Simma goes up against Buju Banton’s Born for Greatness, No Destroyer by Burning Spear, Cali Roots Riddim 2023 by Collie Buddz, and Colors of Royal by Julian Marley and Alexx Antaeus.

Said Smith: “When we went to the UK I decided to revamp the project to give it a more international feel. So, we got some UK artistes on some of the tracks, added a Ghanian artiste, as well as a Nigerian. I later linked with Mya from the US side to give the people a more nostalgic moment there. My engineer, Roel Powell, tweaked some things, and, finally, we had a completed project that our team and the collaborators were pleased with.”

Simma, released September 1 via MD Music Group, has 20 tracks, including collaborations with Shenseea, Charly Black, Louie Culture, Popcaan, Dre Island, Morgan Heritage, Sean Paul, Anthony Red Rose, Shaggy, Dexta Daps, Stonebwoy, Bunji Garlin, among several others.

“It feels amazing, but my team deserves all the praises. They have been extremely supportive, even with the little resources, as this is our first executively produced album. The long hours, the hard work, the phone calls… we are grateful for the recognition,” Smith shared.

This is Beenie Man’s fourth nomination. He was nominated in 1999 for Many Moods of Moses, and again in 2000 for The Doctor. He won the award in 2001 for Art of Life.

Born for Greatness has given Buju Banton his seventh nomination in this category. He previously won in 2011 for Before The Dawn. His previous nominations were Inna Heights (1999), Friends for Life (2004), Too Bad (2007), Rasta Got Soul (2010), and Upside Down 2020 (2021).

Born for Greatness was issued on September 8 via Gargamel Music/Roc Nation Records. It has collaborations with Stephen Marley and Snoop Dogg.

In a statement sent to the Jamaica Observer, Buju Banton commented on the nomination.

“Grateful with Greatness. Thanks to the Recording Academy. It’s great to be recognised for your work. I want to let the music speak and to all my fellow nominees congrats we were all Born for Greatness,” the statement read.

The eight-track Colors of Royal by Julian Marley and producer Alexx Antaeus was released in March via Monom Records.

Among the songs on the album is a cover of John Holt and The Paragons’ The Tide is High, Roll, Jah Sees Them, Inna Mood, and Made for Your Love.

This is Julian’s third nomination. He was previously nominated for 2010’s Awake and 2020’s As I Am.

Cali Roots Riddim 2023 marks the fourth compilation on the series by recording artiste and producer Collie Buddz. The series debuted in 2020.

The 2023 edition was released in June via Ineffable Records (executive produced by Adam Goss) and it features 22 tracks.

Among the artistes featured on the project are Anthony B, Irie Souljah, SOJA, Khalia, Busy Signal, The Movement, Luciano, and J Boog.

Collie Buddz is best known for the pro-marijuana hit Come Around, which was popular locally in 2007. His other hits include Mamacita and Blind to You.

Through his Burning Spear Music label, journeyman roots reggae artiste Burning Spear released the album No Destroyer on August 18. The 12-track set is his 13th nomination.

Songs featured include Independent, Jamaica, Cure for Cancer, Obsession, Open the Gate, No Fool, and They Think.

Burning Spear won the Best Reggae Album Grammy in 2000 for Calling Rastafari and again in 2009 for Jah is Real.

Resistance (1986), People of the World (1988), Live in Paris Zenith 88 (1990), Mek We Dweet (1991), The World Should Know (1994), Rasta Business (1996), Appointment with His Majesty (1998), Free Man (2004), Our Music (2006), and The Burning Spear Experience (2008) were previously nominated.

The Grammy Awards, music’s biggest night, will take place on February 4 at the Crypto.com Arena in California.