When it was announced that his Young Legend is among the 119 albums/EPs being considered for the Best Reggae Album category at next year’s Grammy Awards, E-Dee saw it as a validation for the record company he launched in early 2025.

Young Legend was released and marketed by Clarendon Records, the Los Angeles-based artiste’s company. The deejay started it to not only produce songs, but take control of his career.

“What this means is that Clarendon Records is releasing records that can be measured at that level while we keep ownership. I run it as an independent, and the masters stay with us. Writers stay credited,” E-Dee noted.

Released in July, Young Legend has 14 songs that are produced by E-Dee, Qmillion and Jahsee. It contains tracks like Water Run, Zum Zum Zum, She’s Loyal and Beautiful Woman (a collaboration with Ginjah).

From Toll Gate in Clarendon, E-Dee has done the entertainment rounds since settling in Southern California 15 years ago. Commercially, his biggest song is Bounce Along, a collaboration with Ms Triniti that peaked at #16 on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Single Sales chart in 2007.

The Recording Academy, organisers of the Grammy Awards, are scheduled to announce the final nominations for the 69th ceremony on November 16. A nod for Young Legend would be a shot in the arm for Clarendon Records.

“Making the final ballot would put Young Legend in front of voting members and open doors that an independent dancehall album does not always get: press, playlists, sync, and stages. I want that for the record and for the label,” said E-Dee.

— Howard Campbell