Celebrating 40 years of Steely & Clevie
The legendary rhythm duo that transformed reggae
As part of the milestone Grammy Certificate Ceremony 2025, Steely & Clevie, the iconic production duo comprising Wycliffe “Steely” Johnson and Cleveland “Clevie” Browne, are set to be honoured for their outstanding contributions to reggae and dancehall music.
At the ceremony, they will receive their gold disc for their role in the enduring success of Dawn Penn’s hit
You Don’t Love Me (No, No, No), that the duo produced in 1994. The single was certified gold by the British Phonographic Industry (BPI) in May 2022 after selling over 400,000 copies in the UK.
“This recognition is truly a testament to the decades of work Steely and I dedicated to the music. To be honoured alongside other unsung heroes who have helped build this industry is incredibly meaningful. For me, the event is poised to be a bittersweet moment, as I wish my musical partner, Wycliffe “Steely” Johnson, was here to share in this celebration. His genius and vision are a part of every rhythm we created. This honour is also for him, as well as all the artistes, engineers, and musicians who trusted our sound to take reggae and dancehall to the world,” stated Cleveland “Clevie” Browne.
Along with the gold disc, both Steely & Clevie will also receive multiple Grammy certificates, recognising their key contributions to:
• Sean Paul – Dutty Rock (2004) — Grammy winner
• Beenie Man – Art and Life (2001) — Grammy winner
• Wayne Wonder – No Holding Back (2004) — Grammy nominee
• Shabba Ranks – As Raw As Ever (1992) — Grammy winner
• Shabba Ranks – X-tra Naked (1993) — Grammy winner
Clevie’s individual recognitions will include contributions to:
• Buju Banton — Upside Down 2020 (2021) — nominee
• Barrington Levy — Acousticalevy (2016) — nominee
• Jimmy Cliff — Black Magic (2005) — nominee
• Buju Banton — Friends for Life (2004) — nominee
• Wayne Wonder — No Holding Back (2004) — nominee
• Beenie Man — The Doctor (2000) — nominee
• Yellowman — Freedom of Speech (1998) — nominee
• Jimmy Cliff — Breakout (1993) — nominee
• Judy Mowatt — Working Wonders (1986) — nominee
Steely & Clevie are widely recognised as pioneers of digital dancehall, innovating the blend of traditional reggae rhythms with electronic production techniques in the 1980s, laying the groundwork for modern dancehall.
They first met at Lee “Scratch” Perry’s Black Ark Studios and later became house musicians at King Jammy’s, where their experimental approach revolutionised studio production in Jamaica.
Kennedy Mensah, CEO of Back 2 Da Future Music Ltd, said: “It is virtually impossible to quantify the importance of Steely & Clevie in the development of the world’s popular music. It has been 40 years of rhythm from their fledgling partnership at King Jammy’s Studios to their own Studio 2000 & Steely & Clevie labels. It is indeed an honour for Back 2 Da Future Music Ltd to be able to assist in the consolidation of their legend at this year’s Grammy Certificate Ceremony.”
The Grammy Certificate Ceremony 2025 will be held on Saturday, September 13, 2025 at the Audi Showroom in New Kingston.
